Out-of-state murder suspect dies during SWAT arrest in Atlanta, GBI says

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Genesis Denton was wanted on an out-of-state murder warrant before an in-custody death investigation was launched in Atlanta. (Credit: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department)

ATLANTA - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating the death of a 32-year-old murder suspect who fell from a balcony after officers fired "less-lethal" rounds during an early morning SWAT operation.

What we know:

The incident happened around 5:40 a.m. on Tuesday at an apartment building in the 1300 block of Chattahoochee Avenue NW. The address is right beside Chattahoochee Food Works. 

According to the GBI, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to the apartment to help the U.S. Marshals Service locate Genesis Denton, 32, of Chicago, Illinois. 

Denton was wanted on an out-of-state murder warrant, state investigators said. 

According to state investigators, as deputies knocked on the apartment door, Denton approached a sliding door leading to an exterior balcony. Officers stationed outside the building deployed "less-lethal" rounds toward the balcony door in an effort to keep him inside the residence.

Denton exited onto the balcony, climbed over the railing, and fell to the road below, the GBI stated. Denton died at the scene. His body was turned over to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy, the GBI added. 

The Atlanta Police Department added that is was called out as part of the investigation process.

According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Denton was wanted on a murder warrant stemming from a Feb. 4 shooting in Tennessee. Authorities said Denton was robbed of Louis Vuitton merchandise in a mall parking lot, pursued the suspect's getaway vehicle onto the interstate, and fired shots into the car, killing the driver.

What we don't know:

Official reports from the GBI have not specified the exact type of less-lethal rounds used by officers outside the apartment building.