A DeKalb County policeman assigned to the U.S. Marshals was shot in the leg in southwest Atlanta early Thursday morning.
The officer was working with the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitives Task Force when the shooting occurred, authorities said.
Twelve-year veteran Officer James Hobbs was treated at Atlanta Medical Center, authorities said. He has been released from the hospital, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Atlanta police received a call reporting shots fired around 6:45 a.m. at a home in the 2800 block of Diana Drive.
U.S. Marshal Chief Inspector Keith Booker said task force members were serving Atlanta police drug warrants when the officer was shot in the lower left calf.
“Upon breaching the door, the fugitive fired through the door,” Booker said.
Police have the suspect, 39-year-old Titus Bates, in custody. Booker said Bates was wanted on drug charges.
Task force members were prepared to enter the home with ballistic shields.
Booker noted Bates’ criminal history which includes nearly a dozen drug arrests dating to 1992.
“We knew that this guy had the potential for being an issue,” Booker said. “We also had information that there were firearms in the residence.”
The fugitive task force is made up of police officers from 28 law enforcement agencies, and Hobbs has been assigned full-time to the group for three years, DeKalb County spokeswoman Mekka Parish said.
About the Author
