Man Dies After Evading Atlanta Police in Weapon-Related Incident
A 39-year-old man passed away following an attempt to evade police who were responding to a disturbance involving a weapon. He was discovered injured and later succumbed to his injuries at Grady Hospital.
Authorities confirmed that no shooting took place throughout the incident and the man’s injury was not inflicted by police. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently examining the situation. Furthermore, police have yet to substantiate the presence of a female victim as was initially reported.
ATLANTA - On Friday night, a 39-year-old man died after fleeing from Atlanta police. The officers were responding to a 911 call reporting a conflict involving a weapon on William Nye Drive, according to officials.
Police arrived at the 200 block of William Nye Drive in southeast Atlanta after receiving alerts about shots being fired and a woman allegedly forced into a residence.
“Upon arrival, officers knocked on the door,” explained Lt. Andrew Smith, commander of Atlanta’s homicide unit. “A man opened it and immediately slammed it shut in their faces.”
Subsequently, the police secured the home. While encircling the area, two men attempted to escape from the rear of the house. One turned back, but the other scaled two fences before being found injured nearby.
“He seemed to have sustained an injury to his leg,” Smith noted. “Police officers provided aid, and he was taken to Grady Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.”
What we know:
Addressing rumors circulating on social media about police involvement in a shooting, Smith clarified: “The Atlanta Police Department did not engage in any shootings tonight, and regarding the William Nye incident—there was absolutely no shooting.”
Smith stressed that the man’s injury was unrelated to actions taken by officers. “To be absolutely clear, the injury occurred independently of any police involvement at the scene,” he stated.
What we don’t know:
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office is attempting to identify the deceased man and inform his family.
Given the public interest surrounding the case, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting a review.
Despite the initial emergency call, police have yet to locate a female victim and continue to seek clarity on the night’s events. “We’re unable to confirm those reports at this time, and it remains part of our ongoing investigation,” Smith said.