Fulton County deputy shot in downtown Atlanta drive-by; shooter on the run

ATLANTA - A Fulton County deputy was shot on Thursday evening while in an unmarked vehicle near the intersection of Trinity Avenue and Forsyth Street in downtown Atlanta, according to police.

Authorities say it was drive-by shooting and the shooter remains on the run as of late Thursday evening.

Shooting at Trinity Avenue and Forsyth Street

What we know:

The Atlanta Police Department responded to a distress call at approximately 5:43 p.m. after a deputy was shot en route to a call for help.

"There were two calls for help," said Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat during an evening press conference in front of Grady Memorial Hospital. "One went out for a suspicious person, and then the second asked for assistance."

"When we arrived, we located a Fulton County deputy who appeared to be suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower extremity," said Atlanta Police Lt. Christopher Butler. "He was transported to Grady Hospital."

Investigators say they believe the shooting was a drive-by and that the vehicle took off from the scene.

Crime scene tape surrounded the shooting scene well into the evening, causing some traffic disruptions.

Fulton County sheriff's deputy injured

Local perspective:

Authorities say the deputy is in stable condition after being transported to Grady Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound to the lower extremity.

The deputy, who has served with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office for about four years after transferring from another agency, was just minutes away when the incident occurred.

Deputy shooting investigation

Dig deeper:

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office requested that Atlanta police lead the investigation.

Officers are still working to determine exactly what led up to the shooting. "We're still trying to gather evidence. We do have some evidence on scene. We're trying to piece everything together," Butler said.

Authorities confirmed the deputy was in an unmarked vehicle at the time of the shooting. No information has been released regarding a possible suspect or motive.

Recent violence involving law enforcement

What they're saying:

When asked if law enforcement had any messages for the public amid a recent wave of violence involving officers, Butler urged support and caution. "Every day, we're out there patrolling. We don't know how situations are going to go down. Everything happens very quickly for law enforcement. I would just say prayers for all the officers and everything that's gone on this week."

The recent shooting comes amid a string of violent incidents involving law enforcement across metro Atlanta.

"This has been a rough time for law enforcement," the sheriff said. "Criminals don’t have jurisdictional boundaries. That’s why sheriffs from across the state, including Clayton and Cobb counties, come together in support. We create a force multiplier when we stand united."

"We love the doctors and nurses at Grady, but we certainly don’t need to see them this often," he added. "We’re asking the community to help us with this apprehension. We must all play a role in holding people accountable."

Officials expressed gratitude to multiple agencies and individuals who have stepped in to assist. "We want to thank the governor, the State Patrol, and Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen, who is here with us tonight," Sheriff Labat said. "We also want to thank the nurses and doctors at Grady. They have done a remarkable job."

What we don't know:

At this time, no suspect is in custody. "Right now, the person or persons responsible are still at large," the official said. "We have every resource available to us looking for this individual or individuals."

The name of the officer has not been released.

Details about the shooter have not been released.

What's next:

The Atlanta Police Department is leading the investigation.

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