OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS: Monday saw the 11th person shot by a law enforcement officer in Georgia over the past 11 days. A 55-year-old Cedartown woman, who led police on a chase after speeding through a school zone, was killed after crashing her vehicle and exchanging gunfire with four officers. She is the 20th person fatally shot by law enforcement in Georgia this year, putting the state on pace to nearly double 2017's total. GBI Director Vernon Keenan, whose agency investigates virtually all shootings by state law enforcement officers, said the sharp increase in Georgia, from an average of two such incidents per week, is unprecedented. Keenan said the violence directed toward law enforcement also is unparalleled.
» Troubling trend? 11 days, 11 shootings
ARMED TEACHERS: Other gun-related headlines grabbing the public's attention involved efforts to make schools safer. At the start of the week, the AJC reported that more Georgia schools may authorize armed teachers by month's end. And indeed, on Thursday the Fannin County Board of Education approved arming teachers. Under Fannin's new policy, teachers will have to carry the guns holstered; guns in bags or purses are not allowed. Shortly after the Feb. 14 shooting in Florida that left 17 dead from an active shooter, the issue of school safety has been at the forefront of Georgia politics.
» Georgia's teachers and guns: More districts consider policy arming teachers
» Fannin is for it: The few details that have been released
OFFICER QUITS AFTER TRAFFIC STOP DISPUTE: An Alpharetta police officer caught on video cursing a 65-year-old grandmother during a traffic stop resigned Friday, accusing his police chief of being unable to carry out a fair investigation into the incident. Dash cam video released to the public late Thursday appeared to show officer James Legg cursing and pulling Rose Campbell as she exited her SUV near Ga. 400 and Windward Parkway. Alpharetta Police Chief John Robison also released a video statement saying an internal investigation was being conducted. "There are aspects of the video that you are likely about to watch that simply do not represent who we are as an organization," Robison said. In his resignation letter, Legg defended his actions at the traffic stop.
» Video released: Officer questions fair treatment
