COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County Police provided an update Monday on an incident from over the weekend where a man was shot dead by officers in a Walgreens.
You can watch the full update in the video player below.
What authorities said on Monday
While Cobb County Police offered few additional details on the shooting, Chief Stuart VanHoozer noted an urge to speak to the community in order to clear the air following an outpouring of narratives from witnesses on the scene.
The chief offered condolences to the family and friends of the man killed, 32-year-old Nathan Jenkins, even noting his understanding of why the incident has left them upset and with questions.
"I'm not displeased with the people who feel this way; I just want to provide context," he stated later in the press conference.
Because the shooting is being actively investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, VanHoozer declined to get into too many specifics. He argued the GBI would be better able to answer questions once that process is complete.
The one question VanHoozer did touch regarded the warrants for Jenkins' arrest.
He noted that the 32-year-old was wanted on several charges, most notably failure to appear in court regarding the possession of a firearm by a felon in Fulton County. Many of the other warrants involved probation violations.
VanHoozer also stated that officers were seeking to follow up with Jenkins regarding a police chase from a few weeks earlier. However, the chief did not specify exactly how Jenkins was connected to that prior incident.
The chief also attempted to respond to witnesses who claimed Jenkins was unarmed, noting that the GBI said they found a weapon on the scene, and it did not belong to any of the officers.
What happened at the Walgreens
It happened Friday night. Police said around 11:27 p.m., officers saw 32-year-old Nathan Jenkins inside a Walgreens on 2670 Cobb Parkway SE in Smyrna. Jenkins, according to police, had outstanding warrants.
Reports from authorities said officers got into an altercation with Jenkins, who they said was armed with a gun.
An officer shot him, and Jenkins was taken to Kennestone Hospital, where he later died. Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was asked to complete an investigation.
Reaction from family
Nathan Jenkins' family confirmed that he was the man shot and killed in an officer-involved shooting in Cobb County.
Darlland Jackson, Nathans's father, said he got a disturbing call from his son shortly before he was shot, saying he was in trouble.
So, Jackson hopped in the car and drove to the pharmacy.
"I'm on my way. Daddy's coming," was the last thing Jackson said he said to his son.
When he arrived, he said he saw a large police presence.
"I heard some pops—snaps, crackles, and pops, but I thought it was coming from the bar over there," Jackson said. "I didn't realize that it was the gunshots inside. As I came to try to walk inside, they pushed me back out. They said somebody got killed inside. 'Who was it?' I saw all the witnesses come out, and my son didn't come out."
Nathan's family said he leaves behind five kids and over 10 siblings.
Edward Jenkins, Nathan's brother, said Nathan frequented this area because he loved spending time at a bar that's walking distance from Walgreens. Witnesses told Edward his brother's hands were up before he was shot. Edward believes his brother didn't deserve this.
"If I'm like this and I say I got a gun on me, that doesn't mean shoot me. I'm letting you guys know I have a weapon on me," Edward said. "This is how he was when they shot him. That is uncalled for—an unjustified shooting."