Man killed, sheriff's deputy wounded in shootout

As of Friday, December 7, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

JONESBORO — Authorities say a 19-year-old man who was involved in a shootout with a Clayton County sheriff's deputy has died.

The gunfight happened Thursday morning near Mount Zion Boulevard and Thrailkill Road, south of Atlanta.

Clayton County sheriff's Deputy Chief Garland Watkins says that a man, later identified as Jalen Ricks, sped through a school zone. Officials say neighbors saw him drive into a subdivision, where he pulled over and retrieved a gun from his trunk. Authorities say he opened fire when deputies arrived, striking one of them, and officers returned fire.

Watkins says the wounded officer was wearing his bullet-proof vest "and hopefully, the injuries are very minimal."

Sheriff's officials said the wounded deputy was recovering, and additional details were not immediately available.

Gwinnett Daily Post