MARIETTA, Ga. -- The day after the shooting of a Marietta Police officer, Cobb County's district attorney said there's a gang problem in Marietta and wants something done about it.
Early Sunday morning at the Gallery apartment complex, Marietta police officers responded to a possible car break-in call. Officer Scott Davis, a 10-year veteran, was shot in the leg after locating two suspects in a car.
After one of the suspects shot Davis, police said other officers fired back and hit one of the suspects. Both are now in custody.
The two 15-year-old suspects arrested after the shooting are believed to be members of the Blood gang. Davis is now out of surgery and recovering.
Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds said it was troubling to learn that two suspects are 15 years old and that they’re believed to be Blood gang members.
"I'm worried to death about the status of our law enforcement officers not only in this county, but in this nation,” he said.
When asked if there is a gang issue in Marietta, Reynolds responded, "We have a gang issue. It's not limited to Marietta. It's not limited to south Cobb."
Across the street from the shooting is an organization with a goal to stop the violence and put young kids on the right path. It’s called YELLS (Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading and Service). A member of the organization said they’re addressing the recent shooting.
"We're going to be taking this to our youth today. We don't have the answers. It's the youth in the community that have those answers,” Laura Keefe said.
Reynolds said more needs to be done in the communities so teens are not lured into joining gangs.
The teen suspects are facing a number of charges including violating the Georgia's Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and aggravated assault on a police officer.
