A Smyrna man suspected in a local carjacking was shot and killed by Cobb County police last night after officers say he opened fire, striking an officer in the head.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that at about 6:55 p.m., the Cobb County Police Department received a request from the Atlanta Police Department to check the parking lot of the Publix at 2900 Delk Road in Marietta for a stolen vehicle.
When officers arrived at the location and found the stolen vehicle, they were notified by a citizen that they had just been carjacked. Officers obtained a description of the carjacked vehicle and located the vehicle nearby.
As officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the vehicle fled. Officers pursued the vehicle and at some point during the pursuit, officers say they learned that the subject, later identified as 37-year-old Martin Humberto Sanchez Fregoso, of Smyrna, was in possession of a rifle.
According to the GBI, Fergoso stopped the vehicle, stepped out and discharged a rifle multiple times, striking a Cobb County police vehicle in the area of Powers Ferry Road and Riverbend Club Drive.
Police say Fregoso fled on foot along the Chattahoochee River carrying a rifle and was located behind a dumpster in the Cumberland Chase townhomes. Officers say they gave verbal commands and Fregoso did not comply.
According to the GBI, at some point, Fregoso discharged his firearm, striking an officer in the head. Officers returned fire, striking Fregoso who died on scene.
The officer was treated at a local area hospital and released.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation of the officer involved shooting. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office for review.
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