Clayton County officer involved in shooting outside Jonesboro

Alejandro Guerra

Credit: Clayton County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Clayton County Sheriff's Office

Alejandro Guerra

A man was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after an officer-involved shooting in Clayton County.

Alejandro Guerra, 18, is facing several charges, including aggravated assault on a peace officer, in a shooting that sent the officer to a hospital.

Guerra and an officer exchanged gunfire during a confrontation in the 7800 block of North Main Street just after 1 a.m., according to Clayton County police.

The officer was responding to a report of a person with a gun in the area of the Sundown Suites and the Oak Run Apartments complex north of Jonesboro when the shooting occurred, police spokeswoman Aubriel Stroud said.

When the officer tried to make contact, Guerra pulled out a gun and fired at her multiple times, Stroud said. The officer, who was wearing a ballistic vest, was hit and returned fire.

“After firing several rounds, Guerra fled the area on foot towards the Lucky Food Mart,” Stroud said. “Additional officers responded to the location and observed Guerra hiding near two vehicles.”

Guerra was taken into custody, Stroud said. According to police, Guerra was not injured and the officer did not sustain any life-threatening injuries. She has since been released from the hospital.

A weapon was recovered at the scene, along with a mask and gloves.

Guerra was taken to the Clayton County Jail, where he remains. In addition to aggravated assault, he is charged with felony obstruction, criminal trespass and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.

The Clayton police department contacted the GBI following the incident, since the state agency often investigates shootings involving police officers.

However, the GBI said it is not looking into the shooting.

“Since there was no death or serious injury, the police department’s investigators proceeded with the investigation,” GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles told AJC.com.

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