A Douglas County deputy accidently shot a young girl while trying to apprehend a kidnapping suspect early Monday morning in Atlanta, officials said.
The shooting happened at a BP gas station in the 4300 block of Fulton Industrial Boulevard in Fulton County near the Cobb County line around 12:30 a.m., the GBI said. The suspect, 25-year-old Rashauny Mike Palmer, allegedly tried to carjack a BMW that was occupied by the girl and two adults, according to the state agency. Their names were not released.
“The deputy fired at the BMW,” the GBI stated. “The minor in the back seat was hit. She was taken to a hospital where she is being treated for her injuries.”
Palmer had been on the run since Sunday night, when the GBI said he escaped police custody in Dallas, Georgia, after being handcuffed and placed in the back seat of a patrol vehicle. He then ran toward his Dodge Charger and drove away, the GBI said.
The Charger was spotted traveling on I-20 East by a Douglas County deputy, who tried to stop it with a PIT maneuver but was unsuccessful. Soon after, Palmer crashed into a tractor-trailer, causing the Charger to stop at the bottom of the Fulton Industrial Boulevard exit ramp, the GBI said.
According to the state agency, Palmer then ran toward the gas station and tried to carjack the BMW, which was seen with several bullet holes after the shooting. The Georgia State Patrol, South Fulton police and Douglasville police were also at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Palmer is facing a felony fleeing and attempting to elude charge by the sheriff’s office. In addition, he faces more than a dozen charges from Dallas police, including criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault with intent to rape/murder/rob, obstruction of law enforcement officers and kidnapping/family violence. Officials have not provided details about that incident.
The GBI charged Palmer with hijacking a motor vehicle in the second degree, cruelty to children and obstruction. The state agency will also conduct an independent investigation into Monday’s gunfire. Afterward, the case file will be given to the Fulton District Attorney’s Office for review.
The incident was the 36th officer-involved shooting the state agency has been asked to investigate in 2024. At this point last year, the GBI had opened investigations into 46 such shootings.
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