Armed Man Killed In Attack On Atlanta Courthouse

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A man armed with an assault rifle, several hand grenades, smoke bombs and tear gas opened fire on an Atlanta courthouse, where he was scheduled to plead guilty on drug charges Friday. The assault sparked a gunbattle with police that left the assailant dead and a deputy wounded.

The three-minute shootout ended in the death of Denis Marx, 48, according to Forsyth County Sheriff Duane Piper, who says the suspect had a history with the department, including at least two arrests on drug charges.

Member station WABE's Michell Eloy reports: "The sheriff's office says Marx attempted to drive a rented Nisan armada into the courthouse just before 10 a.m. ... [and said] eight deputy officers engaged with Marx."

One deputy officer was injured, but remains stable, Michell says.



The Associated Press reports: