A shoplifting suspect was killed by a Milton police officer after being struck by a vehicle the suspect stole Friday near a Walmart, the GBI said.
The officer-involved shooting happened shortly after noon in the parking lot of the store at 5200 Windward Parkway off Alpharetta Highway. The officer was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and has since been released. Shantidra Harris, 31, was taken to Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center and later died, according to officials.
It all began after three people took merchandise from a nearby Kohl’s and then fled in a red Dodge Journey, Milton police spokesman Lt. Andrew Noblett told reporters from the scene. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued until pulling into the Walmart’s parking lot, the GBI stated.
Once the Dodge came to a stop, one woman was taken into custody, and a man fled toward the Walmart and remains at large, authorities said. The woman, identified as Quentrice Lowe, is facing charges of shoplifting and obstruction.
Another woman, identified as Harris, allegedly carjacked a white Toyota Corolla and tried to flee the area. Harris then accelerated while the officer was standing directly in front of the bumper, the GBI said.
The officer was struck by the car and then fired his weapon, hitting Harris, according to the GBI.
Noel Manuel, a McDonald’s employee who witnessed the shooting, said she heard an officer telling someone inside a vehicle to put their hands up, she told Channel 2 Action News. Then she heard gunshots.
“I was just freaking out. I was just scared because I have never heard gunshots in real life,” she told the news station.
Friday’s incident is the 32nd officer-involved shooting the GBI has been asked to investigate this year.
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