Officer-involved shooting leaves 1 dead in NE Atlanta - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

An officer-involved shooting left a suspected car thief dead late Wednesday night.

Atlanta police were responding to a car break-in call in Inman Park when the shooting occurred.

"According to witnesses, it is our belief at this time that the individual had broken into a vehicle behind the location. And physical evidence does support that," said Lt. Paul Guerrucci of the Atlanta Police Department.

Police say they recovered the suspect's gun and a screwdriver at the scene.  

Investigators say at around 11 p.m., when an officer arrived at the 400 block of Highland Avenue, he got in a physical altercation with the suspect.
    
The officer opened fire and killed the man, described as being in his early to mid-30s. The officer suffered minor injuries in the scuffle. Another officer responding to the shooting was involved in a minor car accident not far away. The officer was not hurt.

Kris Robinson says he heard three shots, and neighbors came out of their homes to see what was going on. He says it wasn't long before police were at the scene.

Robinson and other residents in the area have expressed frustration with crime in the neighborhood.

"At least once a week, you see somebody's car has gotten broken into here. It's just disheartening," said Robinson.  

Gwen Dillon, who lives in the area, wasn't surprised by what happened. She says crime has gotten out of hand lately, and when the shooting happened, she questioned if it was a backfire or a gun going off.

Lou LoBue, a bartender in the area, said that he stays armed and ready to defend himself.

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on routine paid administrative leave pending the result of the investigation. No names have been released in connection with the shooting.