The Scoop: A Georgia State Patrol K9 officer named Figo was shot and killed by a suspect in a homicide case Friday. The suspect was subsequently shot and killed by police officers.
The Investigation: According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that Clayton County Police Officers were conducting a homicide investigation involving a victim found the previous day. A suspect was spotted driving the victim’s vehicle on Riverdale Road near I-285.
State Troopers and Clayton County Deputies responded to assist with a traffic stop. State Troopers conducted the traffic stop and the suspect initially pulled over. Police say as the Troopers were attempting to make contact with the driver, he drove away. The Troopers pursued the vehicle and managed to stop the vehicle using a PIT maneuver. The Troopers, joined by Clayton County Deputies, attempted again to make contact with the driver.
The Shooting: According to the GBI, the driver was uncooperative and K9 Figo was sent into the vehicle by his handler to get compliance. That’s when police say the driver shot K9 Figo.
What followed was an exchange of gunfire between the driver, Troopers, and deputies. The driver died at the scene.
Figo was taken to a local animal hospital and ultimately to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital in Sandy Springs where he died.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the file will be given to the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Thom Chandler
Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.
