A man was shot by Gwinnett County police after they say he pointed a gun at officers late Sunday.
Authorities got a 911 call around 11:30 p.m. about gunshots followed by screaming coming from a home in the 3600 block of Holland Drive near Snellville. The caller told dispatchers that about four to five shots were heard.
When police arrived at the house, they heard arguing coming from inside, authorities said. At that point, a man identified as Edwin Mendez, 32, of Snellville, walked out of the front door and “immediately pointed the weapon at officers when (they) identified themselves in the front yard as Gwinnett County police officers,” spokesperson Sgt. Collin Flynn told reporters at the scene.
One of the officers fired one shot at Mendez, striking him, police said. He was then rushed to a hospital and was said to be stable.
Members of the police department’s Deadly Force Investigation Team responded along with crime scene investigators and began collecting evidence and speaking with witnesses.
Mendez faces several charges, including aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, reckless conduct and shooting a firearm within 50 yards of a public roadway.
The GBI confirmed that it was not asked to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.
According to the agency, it is up to the local law enforcement department to request its involvement. There is no state law mandating the GBI investigate all officer-involved shootings. However, a Gwinnett police department policy states that use-of-force incidents that result in death or life-threatening injury are to be directed by the GBI.
The department’s Deadly Force Investigation Team has been tapped to investigate at least one other officer-involved shooting this year. In January, a man was shot by officers after they said he fired at them first. He survived. In that case, a Gwinnett police spokesperson said the GBI was not asked to investigate due to the man’s injuries not being life-threatening.
This year, the GBI has opened investigations into two Gwinnett officer-involved shootings, first in April and then in August. Both resulted in fatalities.
Anyone with information about Sunday’s shooting is asked to contact Gwinnett police detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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