CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE: Suspect 25-year-old Arterio Crumbley turned himself in to the Clayton County Jail late Wednesday night, according to the Clayton County Police Department. The department also confirmed that the officer shot during the incident, later identified as Officer Ryan Richey, was released from the hospital Wednesday night.
ORIGINAL STORY: A police officer has been hospitalized after being shot in Clayton County Wednesday afternoon. Authorities have since revealed the identity of the suspect in question.
Clayton County Police Sgt. Julia Issac said the incident began when officers were responding to an armed robbery call in front of a Food Mart along Riverdale Road in College Park around 2 p.m.
Police believe the victim of the robbery was shot in the hand. The officer, they said, was shot in the waist area. Authorities said the incident happened very quickly. They added the officer did not fire back during the shooting and that the officer might not have been directly shot but hit by a bullet that ricocheted.
"My understanding is upon his immediate arrival, he [the officer] was met with gunfire," Clayton County Chief of Police Kevin Robert said.
The officer is expected to survive his injuries and he was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Authorities released a photo of the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Arterio Crumbley, they are looking for in connection with the shooting. Crumbley is described as wearing an orange or yellow tracksuit, pictured below.
Crumbley is 5-foot 11-inches tall and weighs 158 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
A massive police presence was spotted along Riverdale Road and Norman Drive.
"Please avoid this area," Sgt. Julia Issac of the Clayton County Police Department said. "The suspect is not in custody."
Earlier in the day, authorities said they had secured a perimeter and had contained the suspect to an area within a nearby apartment complex, behind the shopping plaza, where the Food Mart is on Riverdale Road.
"We believe we have him [the suspect] contained within the community behind the shopping center," the chief said.
11Alive crews saw two K9 units pull up as the search continues.
Shortly before 9:30 p.m., Clayton County Police said people who live in the area of Riverdale Road and Norman Drive in College Park can return to their normal activities.
"The investigation is ongoing, but we are scaling back our presence in the area. Stay safe," Clayton County Police said.
The situation also prompted nearby schools to take action. Clayton County Schools said Northcutt Elementary, North Clayton Middle and North Clayton High were placed on lockdown as a precaution to ensure the safety of all students and staff around the schools' dismissal time. Parents and school buses waited in the carpool pickup lines at the schools. Students were able to leave just after 4 p.m. under "heightened security earlier." Clayton County Schools added that students who normally walk home are being taken home by Clayton County School Police.
"Out of an abundance of caution, roughly 40 students remain at one school and they are expected to stay there until they can be safely transported home. Efforts are underway to provide food for those remaining at the school," the school district said in a statement Wednesday evening.
Chief Robert said safety is the police department's top priority.
"Safety is our primary objective, we need to secure our homes and we will alert the community when we have him in custody," Robert said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Arterio Crumbley are being asked to not approach him and instead contact the Clayton County Police Department at 770-473-3747.
