Deputy, suspect injured in Houston County shootout

A man was taken to a hospital Sunday after he was injured in a gunfire exchange with multiple Houston County deputies, officials said.

Michael Leatherwood, 47, was shot after reportedly opening fire at a group of deputies, according to GBI spokesman J.T. Ricketson.

The incident happened about 7 a.m. at a home in the 200 block of Danube Way in Byron, Ricketson said.

Four deputies were sent to the location after someone reported a domestic disturbance, he said. When they arrived, one of the deputies walked up to the home and announced that he was with law enforcement.

Leatherwood asked the deputy if he was with the Byron Police Department, and he answered that he was with the Houston sheriff’s office, Ricketson said.

Meanwhile, a second deputy heard the sound of a rifle being loaded, according to Ricketson. He and the other deputies pulled back from the home.

The suspect came out the front door and opened fire at the deputies, Ricketson said. Three of the deputies shot back, and Leatherwood was hit. The fourth deputy did not fire, he said.

During the exchange, one of the deputies was shot in the hand, Ricketson said. The deputy was initially treated at the scene and then taken to a local hospital.

Leatherwood was taken to Navicent Health Center in serious condition.

The GBI was called to investigate the shooting, Ricketson said. It is the 14th officer-involved shooting investigation the GBI has opened this year, and the second within 24 hours.

The earlier incident occurred when an Atlanta police officer fired his weapon while trying to break up a gunfight.

RELATED: GBI investigating deadly shooting involving Atlanta officer

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also tracks officer-involved shootings that don't involve the GBI, and those numbers sometimes differ from the GBI's tally.

In other news: