Henry County police put officer who killed teen on leave

STOCKBRIDGE — A week after a Henry County police officer shot and killed a 16-year-old boy in a Stockbridge parking lot, the department said Tuesday the officer has been placed on leave while state investigators look into what happened.

What’s happening: The Henry County Police Department issued a public statement saying the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling an independent investigation into the November 3 shooting. The department said it extended condolences to the teen’s family.

What’s new: The department confirmed the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, meaning the officer is not on active duty while the investigation continues. The GBI, not the Henry County Police Department, is leading the investigation.

On the body camera footage: Community members have asked for the release of body camera footage from the shooting. The department said any decision to release evidence must go through the GBI and legal authorities, since the footage is part of an active investigation.

What we know about the shooting: Just after 6:30 p.m. on November 3, an officer approached two teenagers in the parking lot of a Krispy Kreme at 120 Hwy 138 W in Stockbridge. According to the department, the 17-year-old passed a handgun to the 16-year-old, who then ran. The officer chased the teen on foot and told him to drop the gun. The teen did not, and the officer opened fire. The 16-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The gun was recovered. No officers were hurt.

What comes next: Investigations like this one can take several months, the department said. When the GBI finishes, it will hand the case file to the Henry County District Attorney’s Office, which will decide whether any charges are warranted.

Anyone with information can call the GBI’s Atlanta Regional Investigative Office at (770) 388-5019, the anonymous tip line at (800) 597-8477, or submit a tip at gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online.