An Atlanta police officer took gunfire Thursday morning while chasing a suspect from the scene of a domestic fight in Thomasville Heights, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Keith Ferguson, fired one round from a handgun and did not strike the officer, according to Atlanta police. Video from the officer’s body camera released Tuesday shows the brief chase, which wound through several buildings at the Forest Cove apartments along Thomasville Boulevard before it ended in Ferguson’s arrest.
“Domestic violence calls can be extremely dangerous for law enforcement officers due to the volatility of the situation and the heightened range of emotions,” Atlanta police said in a statement Tuesday. “We are thankful that our officers are safe and that this dangerous suspect was apprehended without incident.”
Officers Hayes and Golden were called to the apartment complex around 4:15 a.m. Thursday to break up the fight. They were aware of Ferguson’s history of running from police and his outstanding warrant for domestic battery, according to the police department.
In the body camera video, Golden can be seen talking to Ferguson and holding a copy of his driver’s license. The man bolts when the officer tries to place him under arrest.
A gunshot can be heard, followed by Golden’s orders to Ferguson to drop the weapon. The video ends as the officer loses sight of him.
“Officer Hayes observed the suspect’s weapon had suddenly malfunctioned and that is when he proceeded to physically subdue the suspect,” police said in the statement. “Both officer Hayes and officer Golden were able to successfully bring the suspect in custody.”
Ferguson was arrested on felony charges of obstruction, aggravated assault on a police officer and other weapons offenses. According to police, he had been arrested 16 times before.
No one was injured by the gunfire, but Hayes sustained a minor injury during Ferguson’s arrest, the police department said.
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