A confrontation at a motel in Fulton County escalated into a shootout on Friday morning, resulting in the death of a suspect and injuries to two officers. The incident unfolded when Fulton County officers observed a suspicious individual near the Budgetel Inn and Suites, located on Fulton Industrial Boulevard near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW. Additional support was requested from South Fulton police.
Upon the arrival of a South Fulton officer, gunfire was exchanged, leading to injuries for both a Fulton County officer and a South Fulton officer. Tragically, the suspect involved in the shootout was killed at the scene.
South Fulton Police Chief confirmed that the suspect immediately fired upon Lieutenant Charles Cook as he emerged from his patrol vehicle. Cook sustained three gunshot wounds and is in critical condition at a local hospital. The Fulton County officer’s injuries were described as minor, and the officer acknowledged uncertainty about survival without Cook’s presence.
Aerial footage showed a significant area of the motel’s parking lot cordoned off with police tape as multiple agencies, including the Georgia State Patrol, responded to the scene. Parts of Interstate 20 in proximity to Fulton Industrial Boulevard were also temporarily closed.
While a Channel 2 Action News photographer reported seeing law enforcement from various departments at Grady Memorial Hospital, it remains unconfirmed if the injured officers were transported there. The identities of the officers and the deceased suspect have not yet been released.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to assist the first responders in managing the situation. This incident is part of ongoing developments, with further updates expected on Channel 2 Action News at Noon.
In a related note, the South Fulton Police Department recently mourned the loss of Lt. Helio Garcia, who died earlier this week in a head-on collision while on duty. The accident occurred when another vehicle veered into his lane.