17-Year-Old Shot Dead by Police in Georgia After Killing Police Dog
Jonesboro, Georgia – In a tragic incident, a 17-year-old boy was shot dead by police on Saturday after he allegedly killed a police dog and pointed his gun at officers. The incident took place in Jonesboro, Georgia, which is approximately 17 miles south of Atlanta.
The teenager has been identified as Stephon Ford, according to Clayton County Police Department Assistant Chief Bruce Parks during a news conference. The shooting occurred just before 2 a.m., as reported by Parks.
The Jonesboro Police Department was responding to a report of suspicious activity involving three males at a hotel. When the police arrived, all three individuals attempted to flee, and two were successfully apprehended and taken into custody. The Jonesboro Police then sought assistance from the Clayton County Police Department to locate the third suspect.
The Clayton County Police dispatched a K-9 unit to search for the suspect. The police dog located the individual hiding in a nearby wooded area. Verbal commands were issued for the suspect to surrender, but instead, he allegedly produced a handgun and began firing, striking the police dog.
The officers established a perimeter to contain the suspect and rushed the injured police dog to a local animal hospital. Unfortunately, the dog succumbed to its injuries.
After several hours, officers located the suspect again within the search perimeter. They commanded him to drop his weapon, but instead, the teenager allegedly pointed his firearm at the officers. In response, the officers opened fire on the suspect, ultimately resulting in his death. Thankfully, no officers or civilians were injured during the incident.
The case is now being turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for further investigation. In a Facebook post, the police identified the slain police dog as Waro.
This tragic event highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. The loss of a life, whether it is a human or an animal, is always a tragedy. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of both the teenager and the brave police dog who lost their lives.