Early Saturday morning, two Georgia police officers were injured during a shootout with a suspected gun store burglar in Smyrna. The incident took place at Adventure Outdoors, an 80,000-square-foot gun store and range located about 13 miles northwest of Downtown Atlanta.
According to Smyrna Police Department Chief Keith Zgonc, the authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at the store around 12:16 a.m. Upon arrival, officers encountered an armed gunman inside the store, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and the police officers. The suspect was ultimately shot and killed by officers from Smyrna Police Department and Cobb County Police Department.
During the shootout, two Smyrna Police Department officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, a SWAT team was deployed to secure the premises and ensure there were no additional threats inside the store.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation of the incident to determine the motive behind the burglary and the identity of the deceased suspect. Police officials expressed concern over the escalating violence against law enforcement officers, citing recent incidents in the metro Atlanta area.
Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer emphasized the gravity of the situation, especially given the store's substantial inventory of approximately 18,000 guns. The store's reputation as the 'actual largest gun store in the world' added to the urgency of the police response.
VanHoozer condemned the suspect's actions, stating, 'It angers me that we have people who want to take shots at police officers and do us harm.' Chief Zgonc echoed this sentiment, underscoring the necessity of law enforcement's swift and decisive response to criminal acts.
The community awaits further updates from the ongoing investigation as authorities work to ensure the safety and security of both officers and civilians in the area.
