By Mike Morris, Angel K. Brooks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATLANTA — A man shot and killed by Atlanta police at the Mall West End on Wednesday night was a fugitive wanted by Mississippi authorities, the GBI said Thursday.
GBI spokesman John Bankhead said Atlanta police received a tip that the fugitive they were looking for was parked in a Chevrolet Suburban at the mall.
“During officers’ attempt to arrest, the fugitive was shot and killed,” Bankhead said.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office has positively identified the man, but was waiting until his family had been notified before releasing his name.
The shooting happened around 9 p.m. in the parking lot of the mall, located west of downtown.
“I just saw the truck at the front and then the police pulled in — I think maybe three — and they jumped out and yelled, ‘Freeze,’” witness Andrew Smith told Channel 2 Action News. “And a little after that, I heard the shots and people started running toward us.”
Atlanta police spokesman Officer John Chafee said in a statement: “Due to the number of officers involved, the size and complexity of the crime scene and the fact that it resulted in a fatality, we have asked the GBI to assist to ensure an objective and thorough investigation.”
Bankhead asked that anyone who witnessed the shooting contact the GBI.
Copyright 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution