Man killed after allegedly shooting Adairsville officer identified
Witness describes deadly police shooting
An Adairsville officer was injured and a suspect was killed during an early morning shooting following a traffic stop, according to investigators. What We Know
ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. - An Adairsville officer was injured and a suspect was killed during an early morning shooting following a traffic stop, according to investigators.
What we know:
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the incident happened around 1:15 a.m. on April 23 when an Adairsville police officer stopped an SUV for speeding near a gas station on Joe Frank Harris Parkway.
Authorities say the driver, identified as 26-year-old Saeed Ahmed Reed of Clayton County, got out of the vehicle, reentered it and moved across the parking lot before exiting again. When the officer attempted to detain him, a Taser was deployed but did not work. Investigators say Reed then pulled a gun and shot the officer, striking the officer’s vest.
Officials say the officer returned fire, hitting Reed multiple times. Reed was taken to a hospital, where he died.
The officer was also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later released.
Three other adults and one child were inside the SUV at the time but were not hurt.
What they're saying:
Amy Davila witnessed the shooting. She works at a gas station nearby where the shooting happened.
"I thought, what is going on? I mean you know, I had my back to the windows initially, so I didn't understand what was going on. I heard a bunch of shots and turned around and then saw everything," she said.
Davila said normally it's quiet at night, but Thursday it was a different story.
"I just saw the car come barreling through the parking lot with an officer behind him. He wrecked, jumped out and started to run. Turned around, and started firing shots. So, the police fired back," she said.
Davila said she feels bad for everyone involved.
"I mean, I think it's crazy. I think they (police) did exactly what they are supposed to do, trained to do. But I feel for the family of the suspect who did pass away. I hate that, and prayers to them," she added.
The shooting is not common for Adairsville. Jymme Reed has lived in the city for 14 years and she said it's normally calm and peaceful.
"With what happened last night, it's out of the norm," she said. "It's sad how our world is coming to violence," she added.
What we don't know:
The name of the police officer has not been released. Additionally, the names of the other adults who were with the suspect were not released.
What's next:
The GBI is conducting an independent investigation. Once complete, the case will be turned over to the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office for review.