A man who pulled out a gun at the North Avenue MARTA station during a confrontation with officers was fatally shot Friday evening, officials said.
At about 4:35 p.m., two undercover MARTA police officers patrolling the station observed a man in “possession of suspected illegal drugs,” the GBI said in a statement. The officers attempted to detain the man, but the GBI said the suspect tried to escape and a fight ensued.
The GBI confirmed that an officer deployed a Taser but was unable to detain the man, who was identified as 23-year-old Osiris Rashad Solomon Bennett. He continued trying to flee and then pulled out a gun, according to the state agency.
That’s when officers shot Bennett, the GBI said. Authorities rendered aid until medical personnel arrived at the scene. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The GBI will be conducting an independent investigation into the shooting, which left no officers injured. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy.
Friday’s incident was the 15th officer-involved shooting the GBI has been asked to investigate this year and the second involving a MARTA police officer.
In late January, a MARTA police sergeant was attacked by her ex-boyfriend who tried to grab her gun near the Five Points MARTA station in downtown Atlanta, the GBI previously said. The officer was able to get the weapon and fire at Clevean Kareem Ali Lambert, according to investigators.
“During the meeting, Lambert hit the officer, knocking her to the ground, then dragging, strangling and repeatedly hitting her,” the agency said. “Lambert grabbed the officer’s gun while in the holster. After Lambert released the officer’s weapon, she shot him.”
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