A tense scenario unfolded in Clayton County as law enforcement officials launched a manhunt for Dequan Wright, who is now considered "armed and dangerous." The Clayton County Sheriff's Office characterized the situation in a statement late Tuesday, indicating that Wright fired three gunshots when deputies attempted to apprehend him. Wright, described as a 23-year-old male around 6-foot-4 and 170 pounds, was last seen wearing a tank top, skinny jeans, and no shoes. Residents spotted Wright and captured an image of him jumping into the back of a vehicle, which has now been located in Atlanta, according to details provided by FOX5 Atlanta.
The chain of events leading to the manhunt started with a tag violation traffic stop on I-75. Wright reportedly led deputies on a high-speed chase reaching 100 mph, which ended with a collision involving two cars and a pole. After the crash, he fled on foot toward a graveyard, where workers encountered him. The sheriff's office is now seeking Wright for a probation violation, in addition to a series of new charges related to the chase, hit-and-run incidents and the discharge of a firearm. "He was already charged with eluding police and allegedly broke probation by not taking a class," reported 11Alive.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the search area, particularly around Upper Riverdale Road and Arrowhead Boulevard, where a heavy police presence has been reported. The Clayton County Police Department was also responding to a separate disturbance at an apartment complex on Upper Riverdale Road when the suspect ran into the vicinity of Wright's pursuit, raising concerns of an additional fugitive in the area. However, it is not clearly established whether the shots were fired by Wright or another person, as both remain unapprehended as of the last update.
As the search intensifies, the Clayton County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning to the public to keep vigilant and to report any sightings of Wright by contacting 911 immediately. In the meantime, officials have assured that efforts are being made to safely and swiftly resolve the situation. "The sheriff's office has tracked that car down to Atlanta," a statement reported by 11Alive. The urgency of this manhunt reflects the volatile and unpredictable nature of such incidents where the safety of the community hangs in the balance.
