Perpetrator Killed, Two Wounded at DV Call

Via the AJC:

One man was killed and two other people wounded -- including a DeKalb County police officer -- in a domestic dispute at a Stone Mountain apartment complex.

The apparent shooter was shot and killed by police at the Stone Mountain Colony apartment complex, police spokesman Officer Jason Gagnon said.

Police responded around 7:15 p.m. to a domestic incident in the apartment complex just east of North Hairston Road near Stone Mountain Village.

When police arrived, "The gunman came out of the apartment firing several rounds at our officers," Gagnon said. "Officers shot back at the suspect, and he was killed at the scene."

SWAT was called immediately -- officers were already in the area patrolling for a serial rapist and were able to respond quickly to the call, Gagnon said.

A female victim, shot by the suspect before police arrived, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition, police said.

The police officer was shot in the leg and was taken to Grady, where he was listed in stable but serious condition, Gagnon said.

DV calls are some of the most dangerous to which law enforcement officers respond. That should give you some indication of what women who experience abuse are dealing with. Law enforcement officers have weapons and have been trained in self defense. If they fear coming into contact with batterers, is it any surprise that victims are afraid to make choices that may escalate the violence? Keep this in mind the next time you are tempted to question a woman experiencing domestic violence when she makes choices that you don't agree with or understand. You never know what you might do when faced with that kind of fear.