A Morrow police officer, identified as Officer Myron Bell, is currently recovering from a gunshot wound sustained during an altercation outside La Trojas Cantina on Mt. Zion Road, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The incident, which took place Wednesday evening, also resulted in the injury of suspect Keon Devon Christian, 26, who is now facing charges including aggravated assault on a peace officer and criminal attempt to commit murder.
According to the same source, the dispute began around 9:40 p.m. when Christian exhibited a firearm during an argument prompting a 911 call; upon arrival of law enforcement, Christian fired at Officer Bell, hitting his vest, and subsequently Officer Brian Dudley, in pursuit, shot Christian who was found with a gun near the scene and the incident led to the injury of both men, with Bell saved by his bulletproof vest and now in stable condition, expected to be released shortly from the hospital.
Witness Kelvin Jackson, quoted in the FOX 5 Atlanta interview, detailed the fear he felt while working at Taco Bell during the gunfire and expressed relief that Officer Bell's vest averted a more tragic outcome. Major Greg Tatroe of the Morrow Police Department praised Officer Bell for his bravery in alerting other officers to Christian's location despite being wounded.
Meanwhile, Channel 2 Action News reports the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has taken over to determine the specifics of the shooting, gathering evidence at the scene where the gun used in the shooting of the officer was discovered; the shooting investigation marks their 43rd officer-involved probe this year, both Christian and Bell were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
Officer Dudley has since been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the GBI's investigation, which will ultimately be reviewed by the Clayton County District Attorney's Office. Channel 2 Action News had yet to reveal the identities of the involved parties at the time of their initial report, but further details from the investigation are forthcoming as the GBI continues to piece together the events of Wednesday night.
