One Georgia police officer was killed and another seriously wounded over the weekend after a suspect opened fire at an Atlanta-area hotel, authorities said.
The hotel’s front desk manager directed the officers, Pradeep Tamang and David Reed, to a room rented by a man named Kevin Andrews, 35, of Decatur.
“Officers made contact with Andrews at his room and spoke with him about the fraudulent use of the credit card,” officials said. “After learning that Andrews had an active warrant for Failure to Appear out of DeKalb County, officers attempted to arrest Andrews.”
However, Andrews pulled out a handgun and fired at Tamang and Reed, striking both. Officials said one of the officers managed to return fire.
Andrews was also taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound and is in stable condition. He will be transferred to the Gwinnett County Jail upon his release.
He has been charged with one count of malice murder, one count of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault upon a public safety officer, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the GBI said.
In the wake of the officer-involved shooting, the Gwinnett County Police Department took to social media to thank the local community for their outpouring of support.
“We continue to ask for prayers for Master Police Officer David M. Reed as he recovers from his injuries. We want the community to know that the Gwinnett County Police Department remains committed to serving and protecting the residents of Gwinnett County.”
The department said Tamang’s marked patrol car is parked outside Gwinnett County Police Headquarters if anyone who wants to pay their respects.
