Atlanta police officer injured during shootout with suspect

ATLANTA - An Atlanta police officer and a homeless man were hospitalized early Thursday morning following an encounter in northwest Atlanta's Howell Station neighborhood.

Officials said neighbors called for help around 4:30 a.m. after seeing the man attempting to break into vehicles parked along Tilden Street. When police arrived and confronted him, officials said the man opened fire.

One of two officers fired back and bullets struck the unidentified man in the neck and chest. The man attempted to flee, but was caught a few blocks away.

The man was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was being treated for his injuries. Authorities said he was in stable condition as of Thursday afternoon.

The officer who opened fire wasn't hit, but injured his leg. He was taken to the hospital after the shooting.

Police recovered a gun at the scene.

The investigation has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.