Crime & Safety

Alpharetta Cop Shot in Traffic Stop, Suspect Killed after Chase

Roswell Police helped find the suspect's vehicle just moments after the shooting, and participated in the chase and eventual shootout on GA 400 that ended with the suspect's death.

UPDATED 2:25 p.m., April 13: Injured officer's name and suspect's identity released, plus officer's injuries have been detailed.

Curtis Hicks, a 52-year-old Marietta resident, was identified by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office as the suspect killed in a shootout with Alpharetta and Roswell Police after officials say he shot an Alpharetta officer five times during a traffic stop.

Alpharetta Police Officer David Freeman was shot five times by a suspect he pulled over for a traffic stop: once in the lower abdomen, the elbow on his right arm, his shoulder, a leg and a graze to his back, according to George Gordon of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety.

Find out what's happening in Roswellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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An Alpharetta police officer is hospitalized after being shot during a traffic stop and a suspect has been killed during a shootout with Alpharetta and Roswell officers on GA 400 tonight.

Find out what's happening in Roswellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A motorist was shot as the suspect fired at pursuing police officers on Alpharetta Highway in Roswell. The victim sustained a wound to her hip. She and the officer were taken to North Fulton Hospital.

The Alpharetta officer was making a routine traffic stop on south Main Street near downtown Alpharetta.

"At approximately 8:32 p.m. tonight, an Alpharetta officer conducted a traffic stop on a black  truck, simply for a tag violation. Upon walking up to that vehicle, the driver of that vehicle produced a handgun and opened fire upon our officer, striking our officer," said Gordon.

After being shot, the officer was able to return fire multiple times. The officer managed to call for assistance as the suspect drove south on Main Street (GA 9), fleeing the scene.

"We put out a lookout on the vehicle and immediately a Roswell police unit intercepted the suspect's vehicle," Gordon said.

A chase went up and down Holcomb Bridge Road, and apparently even back onto GA 9, before the suspect got on GA 400. The suspect's vehicle wrecked north of the Northridge Drive exit.

"At one point the suspect lost control of his vehicle at high speed and wrecked. He exited his vehicle and opened fire on the additional police officers," Gordon said.

The suspect was killed in the shootout.

"We had approximately four police vehicles that were struck by gunfire. A number of officers returned fire and killed the white male suspect," Gordon said.

The Alpharetta officer who was shot was taken to North Fulton Hospital, where Gordon said he was in stable condition.

"Most importantly out of this our police officer is currently at North Fulton Hospital in stable condition. For that we are grateful," he said.

The officer who was shot is an experienced officer who has been with the department for two to three years, Gordon said.

He said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been asked to assist in the investigation.

GA 400 southbound was closed because of the incident and ensuing investigation. All southbound lanes were still closed at 10:25 p.m., and the GA Department of Transportation 511ga.org website advises motorists it will remain closed as late as 1 a.m. Saturday.


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