A suspect who was killed in a car wreck following a home invasion on Oct. 4, died of a self-inflicted gun shot, not from the accident, according to Clayton County police.
Kenneth Kenard Fortson, 21, died when the pickup truck he and three other suspects were traveling in overturned on Roberts Drive across from Riverdale High School.
That accident happened after the three men had allegedly forced entry into a home on Fairway Pointe Drive in Riverdale and demanded money and a video game, according to police.
"He was found with a weapon in his hand, after the truck crashed," said Clayton Police Officer Eddie Soto. "It appears he accidentally shot himself in the head."
The truck's driver, Denico Deangelo Hawkins, 34, of Atlanta, is charged with armed robbery and burglary. Ramon Gartez Blalock, 18, of Hapeville, is charged with armed robbery, burglary and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. Quinton Lamont Oliver, 32, of Atlanta, is charged with possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, obstruction of an officer and giving false information to a police officer.
In a related matter, a Clayton policeman and his k-9 officer responding to the home invasion call were hurt in a single-car wreck. Officer Travis Fox and k-9 officer Lakota, a 5-year-old German shepherd, were headed to the scene when their patrol car crashed.
Clayton County retired the dog from the police force, meaning it would not be responsible for paying for LaKota's medical care. After Fox offered to pay the dog's medical costs, the county reconsidered its decision. County Commission chairman Eldrin Bell announced Tuesday that the county would pay medical expenses for Lakota's care at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Fox and Lakota were reunited at the hospital where three of Lakota's legs were in casts, and Fox's face was covered with cuts. He is still sore from multiple broken ribs, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Mike Morris and David Ibata contributed to this report.
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