LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A Gwinnett County sheriff's deputy was shot at an apartment complex in Lawrenceville on Friday evening. He is expected to be OK, according to the sheriff's office.
The gunfire went off around 5 p.m. at the Anzio Apartments, according to Gwinnett County law enforcement. The apartment complex is located off I-85 on Sweetwater Road.
The Gwinnett Police Department said officers had been attempting to stop a stolen vehicle when gunfire was exchanged.
"A suspect is barricaded in a vehicle in a parking lot," the Gwinnett Police Department said in an early update.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to step in, as well as crisis negotiators and SWAT, according to authorities.
On Saturday, the GBI said the suspect was being treated at Northside Hospital. They also added that a female passenger was detained before the driver fled.
Authorities said the traffic stop started with police on Pleasant Hill Road and Sweetwater Road NW. The intersection is about a mile away from the apartment complex.
Authorities went on a short pursuit when the driver of the vehicle, believed to be stolen, did not abide by law enforcement orders. The man hit several cars trying to get away, according to the sheriff's office.
The pursuit ended near the apartment complex and "an exchange of gunfire occurred during which a Gwinnett County Sheriff K-9 Deputy (Neil Butler) was shot and wounded," the sheriff's office said.
The GBI said the suspect "attempted to drive between a clubhouse and an apartment building where he encountered a steep drop-off and the SUV was effectively disabled."
"As a deputy (Butler) approached the SUV, (the suspect) shot the deputy several times. Other on-scene officers returned fire, hitting," the suspect.
Bailie Canton lives at the Anzio Apartments and witnessed the chase and ensuing gunfire.
"I peaked my head out the bathroom door and I saw the police shooting into the car and that’s all I’ve seen, because I went to the bathroom hiding," Canton said. "All these people were crying getting really frustrated with everything. It kind of got me all frustrated and upset as well, but I just settled down and made sure everyone near me was okay.”
Canton, who said she moved to the complex six days ago, said she was separated from her sister for hours, not knowing if she was safe. However, Canton was later able to make contact with her sister, who was okay. She said she still felt safe living at the apartment in spite of the shooting.
"This doesn’t happen every day in the particular places where I’m at," Canton said. "I’m not going to stop living my life, because of the choices other people make. Life is a risk. If I have to risk my life just to live my life, that’s what it takes.”
The sheriff's office said Deputy Butler is "doing very well" and has been released from the hospital.
The man in question was taken into custody by Gwinnett County Police Department SWAT team. He was taken to a nearby hospital but it is not clear if he was hurt or how badly, GCPD said. Authorities did not say if the man had a weapon.
Police said neighbors will be able to return to their homes Friday night, reiterating that the public is safe. GBI officers are in the area collecting evidence and will handle the investigation. The sheriff's office said it will also conduct its own internal investigation.