An off-duty Atlanta police officer was fatally shot during an apparent break-in attempt at a Douglas County home early Friday morning. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies were called to the scene around 5 a.m. at a house located in the St. Andrews Country Club neighborhood.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Sheriff Tim Pounds stated that the deceased, later identified by the Atlanta Police Department as Investigator Aubree Horton, gained entrance to the residence and was then shot by the homeowner, who was seemingly acting in self-defense. Horton lived about a half-mile away from where the shooting occurred and may have been experiencing a mental health issue or was under the influence of narcotics, investigators suggested.
Horton, aged 32, had been with the Atlanta Police Department since November 2015 and was recently awarded "Investigator of the Year." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Horton was recognized for his exemplary work, especially involving the high-profile case surrounding the disappearance and death of a Gwinnett County man last year. Horton's dedication and determination were epitomized in his own words during the awards ceremony: "You got to continue to pound sand, turn things over and you’re looking for that one break, that’s all you’re looking for, is that one break and then you got to jump on it."
The incident has sparked a collaborative investigation between the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Atlanta Police Department. "We are working closely with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office to learn more about what occurred as they investigate the incident," the APD conveyed in a statement obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"I've lived here for five years, and I can promise you, this isn't something you expect to see here," Milton Johnston explained to FOX 5 Atlanta. Further details regarding Horton's motivations and the circumstances that led to his death are yet to be uncovered by the continuing investigation.
