Henry County SWAT shooting: 89-year-old man hospitalized after gunfire
Henry County police shooting under GBI probe
An 89-year-old man was hospitalized after being shot by a Henry County SWAT officer during a warrant service on King Mill Road, according to police.
HENRY COUNTY, Ga. - An 89-year-old man is hospitalized after being shot by Henry County Police SWAT officers executing warrants early Friday morning.
What we know:
According to the Henry County Police Department, the incident happened shortly after 6 a.m. in the 1000 block of King Mill Road. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Henry County Police SWAT officers were attempting to serve aggravated assault warrants for two individuals at the home when the situation escalated.
Neighbors reported hearing a loud crash followed by multiple gunshots. One unidentified resident recalled hearing a loud boom, describing it as sounding like steel hitting a brick wall, immediately followed by a rapid succession of pops.
Inside the home, officers encountered 89-year-old John McPherson, Sr., who Henry County police say was armed with a gun. Police stated that McPherson refused verbal commands to drop the weapon. Authorities reported that the senior citizen retreated into a room, then exited holding a long gun and raised it toward the officers. Two SWAT officers opened fire, striking McPherson.
McPherson was transported to an undisclosed nearby hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have not disclosed who the targets of the original warrants were.
A woman described herself as McPherson's daughter told FOX 5 Atlanta she did not know what happened or where her father was taken.
The incident marks the 45th officer-involved shooting investigated by the GBI so far this year.
What we don't know:
It remains unclear what condition McPherson is in following the shooting, as officials have only confirmed he was taken to a nearby medical facility.
Additionally, investigators have not released details regarding the identity of the two individuals named in the original aggravated assault warrants or if they were present inside the home when SWAT arrived.
What they're saying:
Local residents, including neighbor Ty Watkins, expressed shock over the shooting, describing McPherson's family as "pretty nice" and noting that the area is typically a quiet, relaxed neighborhood with very little traffic. Neighbors urged community members to keep the family in their thoughts and remain alert, calling the sudden violence a sad reminder that unexpected emergencies can happen anywhere at any time.
Suspect injured in 'officer-involved shooting' in Henry County
A shooting involving the Henry County Police Department has been reported in Henry County. A person was injured during the incident, but specific details have not been released. This is a breaking news report.
What's next:
The Henry County Police Department requested the GBI conduct an independent investigation into the shooting. No additional details have been released as the investigation remains ongoing.