A dog was shot and killed Friday afternoon when an incident of road rage escalated to gunfire, Atlanta police said.

Hobart Austin told police he was a passenger in a car driving on Cascade Avenue when a driver in a Ford Taurus nearly hit the car he was in, according to Sgt. Greg Lyon. Austin told police he then argued with the other driver.

After being dropped off on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, Austin said the driver of the Taurus threatened to shoot him and then fired shots, Lyon said.

Austin wasn’t hit, but bullets hit a white Chevrolet Suburban occupied by a woman, three children and a dog, Lyon said. The German shepherd, identified by family as Noah was shot and died at the scene, he said.

The Suburban and a nearby business were damaged by gunfire, Lyon said. No other injuries were reported.

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez