(DailyVantage.com) – In a tragic and shocking incident early Friday morning, a Georgia homeowner fatally shot an off-duty Atlanta police officer who allegedly broke into a neighboring residence. Authorities have labeled the shooting as an act of self-defense. The officer, identified as Investigator Aubree Horton, had been with the Atlanta Police Department since 2015 and was recently honored as Investigator of the Year at the Atlanta Police Foundation’s 20th Annual “Crime is Toast” Awards on September 24, just days before his death.
The incident occurred around 5 a.m. at a home on Orkney Way, near East Carroll Road in the upscale St. Andrews Country Club neighborhood. Douglas County Sheriff Tim Pounds explained that deputies responded to an emergency call reporting a burglary. According to Sheriff Pounds, Horton had attempted to force entry into a residence when the homeowner, in an act of self-defense, shot and killed him. “Once inside, the homeowner produced a firearm in self-defense and shot the individual,” the sheriff told WAGA-TV.
The sudden and violent event has shocked neighbors in the quiet community. Milton Johnston, a resident in the area, expressed his disbelief to WAGA: “I’ve lived here for five years, and I can promise you, this isn’t something you expect to see here.”
Authorities indicated that Horton also lived in the same neighborhood, about half a mile from where the shooting occurred. Investigators are looking into whether the officer may have been experiencing a mental health crisis or was under the influence of narcotics at the time of the break-in. Sheriff Pounds added, “This is an active investigation, and there are many details we’re still working to uncover.”
The Atlanta Police Department released a statement confirming Horton’s identity and offering condolences. Horton, who was most recently assigned to the Fugitive Unit, was off duty at the time of the incident. “We are working closely with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to learn more about what occurred as they continue to investigate,” the department said.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to piece together the events leading to the tragic shooting of a highly respected officer in a tight-knit community.
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