Officer's fatal shooting by suspect called 'ambush'

WXIA-TV, Atlanta

Show Caption Hide Caption Atlanta-area officer ambushed, fatally shot in head Fulton County police say one of their veteran officers has died after a suspect shot him in the head. Police responded after getting calls about a man going door to door firing a long barrel gun.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Fulton County police officer died Wednesday after being shot in the head by a suspect.

Police identified the fallen officer as Detective Terence Avery Green.

According to Fulton County Assistant Police Chief Gary Stiles, the shooting took place at around 1:30 a.m. in the Cedar Grove subdivision near Fairburn.

Police responded to a shots fired call early Wednesday. They were told the suspect was possibly intoxicated. Neighbors said the man was going from house to house, banging on doors and firing a long barrel gun.

The suspect, identified as Amanuel Menghesha, began shooting at the officers, striking Green in the head.

Stiles described the situation as an ambush, saying the officers "were trying to do their job, they were trying to protect this neighborhood from someone who was shooting. And they had no other option but to do their job. And the way it appears to me, they were ambushed without warning."

The officers returned fire and hit the suspect, who is being treated while in custody at Grady Memorial Hospital. His condition is unknown.

The ambulance carrying Green was given a police escort to Grady Hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after 4:30 a.m.

Stiles said Green was a veteran officer with nearly 22 years of service. He is survived by his parents and his four sons.

"This is not the first officer that we have lost. It's heartbreaking," Stiles said.

Fulton County Police Chief Cassandra Jones echoed Stiles' statement, saying the officer was well-liked among his colleagues.

"You can never prepare for something like this," Jones added. "We're not handling it very well."

The weapon used to shoot and kill the officer has been recovered. Stiles described it as a long gun, but did not immediately known the caliber.

Stiles said police do not believe there are additional suspects in this case. Dozens of police officers continue to investigate in the neighborhood where the shooting occurred.

Fulton County Chairman John H. Eaves released a statement after learning of Green's death.

"This is a stark and sad reminder of the hard and dangerous work that our men and women in law enforcement embark upon every time they respond to a call. Oftentimes there is little indication of which calls could leave officers facing eminent danger. At this time, I ask that you pray for Detective Green's family as well for the men and women with whom he served."

Alfred Printup, who lives in the subdivision, said he was at work when the shots rang out. He was on the phone with his wife and could hear the gunshots.

"I just want to thank that police officer who gave his life to keep my family safe," Printup said.

According to the Fulton County Police Department's website, Wednesday's victim was its first officer killed in the line of duty since April 2003, and the fourth officer killed since the department was formed on July 1, 1975.