A prowling suspect was shot by Atlanta police around daybreak Thursday after he allegedly pulled a handgun on an officer.

The incident happened behind a Family Dollar store in the 3500 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Atlanta police Lt. Paul Guerrucci told the AJC that an officer responding to the 7 a.m. call about a prowler “did in fact locate a suspicious person behind the location.”

“During the engagement, the subject pulled a weapon on the officer,” Guerrucci said. “The officer subsequently pulled his weapon and shots were fired.”

Guerrucci said the suspect was hit at least twice, and was taken to a local hospital in critical but stable condition. His identity was not immediately available.

The officer, whose name has also not been released, was not injured. He was put on administrative leave, standard procedure after being involved in a shooting.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com