An officer and a suspect were in the hospital Saturday morning after a police shooting in northwest Atlanta, authorities said.
Officers were called to the Atlanta Sanitation Substation along North Avenue shortly before 4 a.m. regarding a pickup truck that struck a security booth, Atlanta police Maj. Peter Malecki told reporters at the scene. The GBI said an officer went to speak to the driver, identified as 39-year-old Jamario Duffy, and opened the vehicle door as Duffy tried to drive off but was unable.
Meanwhile, the officer gave Duffy commands to get out of the truck, the GBI said.
Duffy became “immediately outraged, exited the vehicle and began assaulting the police officer,” according to Malecki. The GBI said Duffy struck the officer in the face and head.
The fight prompted the officer to shoot at the man, Malecki said.
Duffy, who was said to be stable, and the officer were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. Malecki confirmed that the officer received “superficial injuries” due to the fight and was not shot.
“The officer will be OK,” Malecki said.
Duffy is facing charges of battery, obstruction and criminal damage to property in the second degree.
Saturday’s incident marked the 28th officer-involved shooting the GBI has been asked to investigate this year.
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