A man attempting to flee a traffic stop was fatally shot by an Atlanta police officer Thursday night, authorities said.
The preliminary investigation indicates an officer was conducting a traffic stop on Campbellton Road at Childress Drive in southwest Atlanta when the incident took place, police spokesman Curtis Davenport said.
The officer pursued the man on foot and there was an altercation, Davenport said. The officer fired at least one round, killing the individual, he said. The officer suffered minor injuries in the fight, authorities said.
Police are interviewing possible independent witnesses who saw the traffic stop, which happened around 7:30 p.m, Maj. Keith Meadows told the AJC.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on a three-day firearms review, which is standard procedure, Meadows said.
Channel 2 identified the man killed as 37-year-0ld Maurice Hampton.
Hampton's mother, Rosa Hampton, told Channel 2 that her son, who suffered from mental health issues, was on his way to a job interview, and didn't have a driver's license on him when he was stopped by police.
"He was afraid," she told the station. "No license, he's driving, and he was just trying to get away."
The investigation is continuing.
Staff writer Mike Morris contributed to this article.
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