Gunfire outside Publix leads to chase, shooting

Interstate 285 closed for several hours, causing huge backups.

When police saw a car driving erratically through Camp Creek Marketplace on Friday, it led to a shooting in a grocery store parking lot, a chase, more gunfire and traffic woes on I-285 that lasted several hours.

One person, who was identified as a suspect, was shot by officers and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to East Point police. That per- son’s condition and name were not released.

After first spotting the car at Camp Creek Marketplace, authorities encountered it again at a RaceTrac in the 3500 block of Camp Creek Parkway and determined the vehicle was stolen, Det. Ebony R. Bullock told AJC.com in a statement.

Officers followed the car to a Publix in the 3700 block of Carmia Drive and approached it.

“The suspect vehicle then accelerated toward officers, striking an East Point vehicle and shots were fired,” Bullock said. “A pursuit ensued that entered neighbor-

ing jurisdictions.”

When that pursuit ended on I-285 South near Washington Road, someone in the stolen vehicle took off running, according to police. Additional shots were fired at that point, injuring the suspect.

No officers were injured. The GBI is leading the investigation, which is standard protocol in cases involving use of force. This is the 93rd such investigation in 2018.

“All East Point officers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation,” Bullock confirmed.

East Point and South Fulton officers fired their weapons, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles told Channel 2. She added that there is no evidence at this point that the suspect had a gun.

A witness to the melee in the Publix parking lot was alarmed.

“My nerves are shot,” Nigeria Harris, who operates a barber shop, told Channel 2 Action News. “My client — she’s older, she’s in her 70s — she dropped to the ground.”

I-285 South was shut down near Camp Creek Parkway just before 11:45 a.m. and was still suffering massive delays shortly after 5 p.m., although traffic was being allowed through in the far right lane.