ATLANTA — The Atlanta Police Department released more details after a man was shot and killed by police during an attempted robbery at a gas station.
In the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's preliminary report, it identified the man killed as 34-year-old Ainsley Popwell, of Ellenwood.
Authorities said officers were initially called to an area off Memorial Drive on Moreland Avenue after Popwell was spotted on the street loading a gun. Popwell was dressed in all black and was met by police.
Officers asked him to drop his gun, but he did not. Instead, police said Popwell shot towards officers, hitting a patrol vehicle.
He then ran to a Valero gas station nearby, at the corner of Memorial Drive and Moreland Avenue SE. There, police said Popwell ran into the gas station's convenience store and tried to get behind the cashier's counter, where two clerks were working, to try to steal the cash.
While trying to get to the cash register, police were outside the gas station. Atlanta Police said he then fired his gun again before leaving the store.
When Popwell came out of the store, he fired at police, according to Deputy Chief Charles Hampton, and police returned fire.
"The subject was hit, and then even while on the ground the subject fired at least one more round in the direction of officers. Multiple officers discharged their weapon, striking the suspect,” Hampton said.
Popwell was taken to Grady Hospital where he died.
The two cashiers inside the store were not shot, nor were police. Only one officer had a minor injury, authorities said.
Witness accounts of the shooting
11Alive spoke with witnesses who saw it all unfold. Clifford Byrd said he dove for cover, as he recorded video on his phone from across the street. Later, he looked at the video and he could just about see Popwell as he walked out of the convenience store.
“You’re seeing him hopping out the door, waving (his gun), I think he shot off a couple rounds at the police when he was doing that, and then you just hear the cops return fire," Byrd said.
Deon James, who manages the auto shop across the street where Byrd works, shook his head at what he witnessed at that busy intersection, which is lined on all sides by many businesses; a preschool and its outdoor playground are next door to the gas station.
"Once he ran out with his gun drawn, fired off some rounds, the cops fired back, and that was the end of it," James said. "Cops did a great job of protecting the surrounding community. Something more horrible could have happened.”
"I'm over there so often," Byrd said of the store.
He said the two clerks know all of their regular customers by name and are popular with residents and workers in that neighborhood, and he shudders to think how close they, and so many others, were to getting shot.
"It could have been so much worse," Byrd said, "especially with the preschool right next door, I could have been involved with that so easily, anybody could have."
APD Chief Darin Schierbaum offered condolences to Popwell's family on behalf of the department.
"We also want to extend our condolences to the family that lost a loved one, this is never the outcome that any officer who goes to work every day wants to see,” Schierbaum said at a press conference.
“But at the same time, I want to commend the Atlanta Police officers. From the video that we viewed, our officers acted bravely and decisively to protect the community and to limit the risk that was certainly at play among the store clerks, and the citizens in the immediate area.”
More about Popwell
Popwell's family released a statement following his death.
Popwell, affectionately known as AJ, was a U.S. Army veteran. More importantly, he was a brother, son, father and friend, the family's statement reads.
Loved ones said after Popwell served overseas, he was diagnosed with PTSD "and other mental health issues all too often seen in those who serve."
"My brother served his country but struggled living as a civilian," family said in the statement.
The Popwell family expressed that the veteran's PTSD made everyday life a struggle, especially during circumstances where he felt unsafe. In the statement, they expressed gratitude that no one else lost their life.
"I can only hope for a day that all who serve their country can have easy, accessible healthcare so that no family has to endure the tragedy that we and far too many are having to deal with today," the statement said. "We ask that you please respect our family's privacy during this difficult time."
Police said the GBI will now take over the case. The GBI said its investigation is active and ongoing. Once the GBI's investigation is complete, the case will be given to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office for review.
The GBI said this is the 34th shooting involving law enforcement it has been asked to investigate so far this year.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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