Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has responded to the news that an armed and violent rioter shot a Georgia State Trooper while the rioter was protesting the construction of an Atlanta Police Department training facility. The rioter was subsequently killed by police officers.
As reported by Fox 5 Atlanta, Department of Public Safety Colonel Chris Wright said the shooting occurred around 9 a.m. Wednesday morning during a “clearing operation” of the construction site.
“Investigators say law enforcement officers were attempted to get a man out of a tent located on the property,” the outlet reported. “He did not respond to commands given to him to exit and at some point, Wright said that a protestor fired a shot, hitting the trooper. Officers returned fire, killing the suspect.”
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Michael Register explained that the rioter opened fire first.
“An individual, without warning, shot a Georgia State Patrol trooper,” Register said. “Other law enforcement personnel returned fire in self-defense and evacuated the trooper to a safe area. The individual who fired upon law enforcement and shot the trooper was killed in the exchange of gunfire.”
Kemp released a statement on Twitter responding to the incident.
“Marty, the girls, and I continue to pray for the Trooper shot by a militant activist in yesterday’s operation and are grateful to know he is in stable condition,” Kemp said. “We also remain thankful for the courage and hard work of the GBI; State Patrol; DNR; Atlanta Police; the Attorney General’s Office; and DeKalb D.A. in the ongoing effort to stop illegal activity in and around the future site of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.”
“As we have always done, the state respects peaceful protest,” he added. “In fact, three protestors were asked to vacate the area yesterday, complied with instruction, and were able to leave without incident. But as I have always said, acts of violent intimidation, destruction, and terrorism will NOT be tolerated in Georgia. The safety of our citizens is my top priority. Those who break the law with no regard for those harmed by their actions will face justice, and I am grateful for these arrests.”
https://twitter.com/GovKemp/status/1616203770219663379?s=20&t=74ho3GGys08ldxcJBvz1DQ
