Georgia shooting suspect who shot state trooper amid protests near 'Cop City' killed by police
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Michael Register has confirmed that a state trooper was wounded after being shot near the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. The incident took place on Wednesday morning, January 18, 2023, at what activists call "Cop City" which is officially a future law enforcement training site. In the attack, the shooter was allegedly killed by police. During the conference, Register informed that the police officer, whose identity hasn’t been revealed yet, was hit in the stomach above the pelvic area with a bullet.
The officials have not released the identity of the officer either. The trooper was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and was immediately taken to surgery, as per authorities. Colonel Chris Wright of the Georgia State Patrol said that the officer is in stable condition and has been kept in the intensive care unit. "These are not acts of peaceful protest. These are criminal acts to destabilize communities and endanger citizens," said Register.
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There is an active incident on Constitution Road in Atlanta, in which a Trooper was shot. We will provide further information once available.
— Georgia Department of Public Safety (@ga_dps) January 18, 2023
Several activist groups are protesting against the $90 million, 85-acre center, which comprises a shooting range, mock city and burn building, and other facilities. The groups include Defend the Atlanta Forest, an organization that is against the construction of the site in the region. The group reacted to the killing on Twitter and said, "Forest defender today, someone who loved the forest, someone who fought to protect the earth & its inhabitants."
The group's members have occupied trees on the wooded property as they built tree sits and other shelters in the forests. Defend the Atlanta Forest released a statement on the issue in June and wrote, "Climate change and police violence are two of the most pressing issues affecting our society today, and they will only worsen if this facility is built. We cannot stand by as we sacrifice humanity's future for a Cop City."
Register said, “For months, police have been sending officers to the site due to the high threat to safety." The officers detained five people in December 2022 for domestic terrorism and other charges for reportedly throwing rocks and bottles at the training center, authorities said, reports CBS News.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation further said that for months, the protesters at the site have allegedly destroyed property, carried carjacking, committed arson, and thrown rocks, bottles, and other items at police.