Two Georgia police officers were injured during a shootout with a suspected gun store burglar just after midnight Saturday morning. Smyrna and Cobb County police responded to a 911 call at 12:16 a.m. regarding a burglary at the Adventure Outdoors gun store along South Cobb Drive, Smyrna Police Department Chief Keith Zgonc said during an early morning press conference. When officers arrived, they encountered an armed gunman that was inside the store at the time. Gunfire erupted between the gunmen and officers on scene. Officers from the Smyrna Police Department and the Cobb County Police Department returned fire, killing the suspect. His identity has not been revealed. Two Smyrna Police Department officers were shot and injured during the shooting. They were both transported to a local area hospital where they are recovering from their non-life-threatening injuries.
A SWAT team was subsequently brought in to secure the store and ensure there was no one else inside. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is on the scene and is investigating the incident, Zgonc said. Zgonc said police were unsure if the suspect had broken into the store to steal weapons as the store was closed at the time. Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said it is very concerning that a suspect would shoot at police, noting that two officers have been killed in metro Atlanta the last few weeks. He said there was a massive police response given the recent police shootings in the area and the nature of the store, which has about 18,000 guns in stock, according to the company’s website. The store touts itself as the “actual largest gun store in the world.” “We had a lot of officers come and that’s the reason that they came,” VanHoozer said. “I’m angry, it angers me that we have people that want to do this,” Zgonc added. “They want to take shots at police officers. They want to do us harm and clearly, this individual that was involved in this criminal act necessitated our response.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently on the scene investigating the incident. The police were not sure if the suspect had broken into the store to steal weapons, but the store was closed at the time of the incident. Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer expressed concern over the suspect shooting at police officers, especially given recent incidents where officers were killed in metro Atlanta. The large police response was due to recent police shootings in the area and the significant number of guns stocked in the store. The store, Adventure Outdoors, claims to be the largest gun store in the world.
The two Smyrna Police Department officers who were injured during the shooting were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Fortunately, their injuries were non-life-threatening, and they are currently recovering. A SWAT team was called in to secure the store and make sure there were no other individuals inside. The suspect, who was killed during the shootout, has not been identified. The violent encounter and the shooter’s willingness to open fire on law enforcement officers have sparked anger and frustration among the police officials involved in the incident.
The importance of protecting law enforcement officers and ensuring their safety in the line of duty was emphasized by the police chiefs of both Smyrna and Cobb County. The nature of the incident, with a suspect shooting at police officers, has raised concerns about the risks officers face while carrying out their duties. The significant number of guns stored in the gun shop added to the seriousness of the situation, prompting a swift and massive response from law enforcement agencies. The investigation into the incident is ongoing as authorities work to determine the motives behind the burglary and the identity of the suspect involved in the shootout.
The incident at Adventure Outdoors gun store highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers on a daily basis. The bravery and dedication of officers who put their lives on the line to protect their communities were evident in the response to the burglary and shootout. The two injured officers are expected to recover from their injuries, but the incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges that law enforcement officers face in their efforts to maintain public safety. The investigation into the shooting will provide further insights into the circumstances surrounding the incident and help determine the appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
