JONESBORO, Ga. — A man is dead after being shot by a police officer in Clayton County. The shooting happened in Jonesboro on Jenni Circle Wednesday morning just after 5 a.m.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation later released the identify of the man, saying 68-year-old Charles Henry Calhoun died at the scene. Clayton County Police said that the officer is OK.
Marilyn Lawal-Carter said she couldn't believe her eyes seeing crime scene tape and lights from police cars outside her home.
Chief Kevin Roberts said that they responded to reports from neighbors of a person armed and firing a long gun in the area. He added that neighbors directed them toward the home where the incident occurred.
Police added that once they arrived, they encountered a man in pajamas with a gun.
“My husband was getting ready, and he said he looked out and he saw the lights from our bathroom window over that way," Lawal-Carter said. "Then we came and looked out front and we were absolutely amazed at all the cars.”
Authorities said Calhoun would not put down his gun and instead pointed it at them, so they shot him.
When asked if he was sure whether or not the suspect also fired his weapon at police, Roberts remarked "no."
Lawal-Carter said this is normally a quiet area.
“I've never seen this much police activity ever," Lawal-Carter said. "There may have been a couple of incidents with police in here, but never like anything like this.”
Lawal-Carter said the whole event was shocking.
“I pray for the family, for the person that was shot. I pray for the police who felt it was in their duty to do that. And I just I just pray for everybody and our neighborhood," Lawal-Carter said.
The man's family told 11Alive News he thought he was being robbed, and that's why he had a shotgun.
The GBI is still investigating.