UPDATED:
The GBI has identified the suspect as Kenny Ezekiel, 31, of Atlanta, and said he is in stable condition.
According to a GBI release, Ezekiel pulled a gun from his waistband, ignoring the command of an officer who told him not to reach for the weapon.
The officer immediately shot Ezekial, who threw the gun out of the driver’s side window, according to the GBI, which said no officers were injured in the incident.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Cobb Police said that a driver they say reached for a gun as an officer approached during a traffic stop on Interstate 75 Wednesday night near Delk Road was shot and taken to a hospital.
In a release issued Thursday morning, Public Information Officer Shenise Barner said the unidentified driver was pulled over by Precinct 4 officers in a southbound lane of I-75 after 10 p.m. Wednesday,
Police said the officer saw that the driver had a weapon and the motorist “made a movement toward the firearm.”
Barner said the officer commanded the driver to stop, but the driver ignored the order, and was shot by the officer.
Police said officers offered first aid to the driver, who was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital by ambulance.
Barner did not indicate the condition of the driver; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case, as it does with officer-involved shootings, and is expected to release further information.
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I thought everyone knew not to move your hands when police are approaching. If you have any weapons, tell the officer and follow instructions related – keeping both hands on the top of the steering wheel at all times.
30 yrs ago, we didn’t need to do this, but it is a different world today and everyone needs to be careful.