Roswell police officer killed in line of duty, GBI identifies suspect

ROSWELL, Ga. - A Roswell police officer was killed responding to a call at a busy shopping center off Holcomb Bridge Road.

Officers were called out around 7:15 p.m. Friday to the King Market shopping center at 1425 Market Blvd., near Georgia 400.

Roswell officer killed in line of duty

What we know:

According to the Roswell Police Department, officers were called out due to a report of a suspicious person. Officer Jeremy Labonte, 24, found a man in a parking lot near the ACE Pickleball Club. 

Roswell Police Chief James Conroy said that person almost immediately pulled out a gun and opened fire on Labonte.

He was struck several times. First aid was rendered by other officers, and he was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Other officers chased the shooter and were able to take him into custody.

Who is Officer Jeremy Labonte?

What we know:

Officer Jeremy Labonte joined the Roswell Police Department on Nov. 1, 2021. He was a member of the night shift patrol.

"He stood side by side with his D-squad brothers and sisters, serving with honor, integrity and an unshakeable sense of duty," said Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson. 

Those who knew him best say he was a friend, a husband, a son and a public servant who left a "void that could never be filled."

"It is a loss many community members say they are struggling to understand," said Michael Hernandez, chairman of the Roswell First Responders Foundation. "Sickening, nauseous, I couldn’t believe it."

What you can do:

Those who wish to pay their respects to Labonte, his family and his department can leave tributes at a memorial vehicle parked outside the Roswell Police Department located at 39 Hill Street.

The Roswell Police Department and the Friends of Roswell Police have also established a fund through PayPal to collect donations for the Labonte family. Officials say this is the only authorized donation platform for the family.

What's next:

Hernandez said the Roswell First Responders Foundation has also connected with the police department and offered services. In the days, weeks and months ahead, he said they will help make sure family, colleagues and first responders feel the support of the community after this tragedy.

"I just don’t understand how or why this happened. I will make sure the foundation will do anything it can to wrap its arms around the family, but also the police department and the fire department since they were called out," said Hernandez. "So, everyone is going to need help."

You can find more information on the Roswell First Responders Foundation here.

Funeral arrangements have been announced.

GBI identifies shooting suspect

New Information:

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect as 23-year-old Edward Espinoza, a U.S. citizen, on Saturday morning.

Espinoza was arrested and charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault on a peace officer, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office for prosecution. 

Reaction to Roswell officer killed in the line of duty

What they're saying:

The Roswell Police Department wrote this statement on Facebook:

"It is with profound sorrow that we share the devastating news of the loss of one of our officers. While serving the Roswell community and responding to a report of a suspicious person, a Roswell Police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty earlier this evening. The suspect was immediately located and taken into custody.

"More information will be released in the coming days, but our priority now is to surround and support the family of our fallen officer and grieving department. We ask that your hearts and your prayers stand with us in doing the same."

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp took to X, formerly Twitter, shortly after the news of the Roswell police officer being killed in the line of duty:

"Tonight, Marty, the girls, and I are praying for the loved ones of a Roswell Police Officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty. We join them, his fellow Roswell PD, and all law enforcement in mourning this sudden and heartbreaking loss, and we ask all Georgians to join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.

"We also ask that we remain mindful of the heavy sacrifices law enforcement and their families make to keep all of us safe each and every day. May this courageous man’s memory inspire all of us in the days, weeks, and years ahead."

Neighboring Dunwoody Police Department also offered its sympathies:

"The Dunwoody Police Department sends its deepest condolences to the Roswell Police Department and the family of the officer killed in the line of duty this evening. We join them in mourning this tragic loss and ask our community to keep everyone affected in your thoughts and prayers."

Multiple other agencies have also posted about the officer's death.

Roswell police shootings in 2025

Dig deeper:

This is the third officer-involved shooting in Roswell, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

On Jan. 17, a SWAT team tried to execute arrest and search warrants at a home on Ansley Drive. The suspect, 40-year-old Matthew Robert Taylor, escaped and shot a SWAT officer in the chest. Fortunately, the officer was wearing a bulletproof vest and was able to return fire, leading to Taylor's death.

On Jan. 8, an officer came across 33-year-old Christopher Bell near the Regal Nissan dealership on Holcomb Bridge Road. During the encounter, a struggle broke out, prompting the officer to use a Taser, which failed to subdue Bell. The officer subsequently shot Bell, who was later taken to the hospital and is in stable condition.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, the Roswell Police Department only lost one officer in the line of duty. Officer Leslie G. Warden was killed by a drunk driver while working a crash along Interstate 285. That happened on June 14, 1986. 

What's next:

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been asked to investigate the deadly shooting. This is the 12th such investigation by the GBI since the start of the year.

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