Gwinnett Daily Post

BUFORD — A machete-wielding 15-year-old boy was shot and killed by Gwinnett County police officers Monday after charging them “in a full dead sprint,’ officials said.

The teenager — whose name has not been released pending notification of kin — reportedly threatened to kill his family with the machete before those family members locked themselves in a room at their home on Windward Gate Lane in Buford, Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. Edwin Ritter said.

After the family called 911, two police officers arrived at the home at about 3:30 p.m. They were “immediately confronted” by the 15-year-old, Ritter said. The officers and other witnesses told investigators the teenager exited the house and charged the officers “in a full dead sprint,” machete in hand.

Despite commands to drop the weapon, “the 15-year-old refused to comply,” Ritter said.

“The officers were forced to shoot him as they were presented with this deadly threat,” Ritter said.

The teenager was transported to the hospital and later died of injuries sustained from being shot.

Ritter called the investigation an ongoing one involving the department’s Homicide Unit, Deadly Force Investigation Team, Office of Professional Standards and Crime Scene Unit.

Standard procedure is for officers involved in shooting incidents to be placed on paid administrative leave.