A police encounter in Jonesboro, Georgia, resulted in the death of a 17-year-old boy.
The event unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, September 2, near Atlanta.
Stephon Ford, along with two others, was suspected of suspicious activities at a local hotel. When Jonesboro police officers tried to address the situation, the three individuals made an effort to escape. While two of them were detained, Ford managed to elude capture.
In an effort to locate Ford, the Clayton County Police Department dispatched a K-9 unit. The dog discovered Ford in an adjacent wooded area. Despite being ordered to give himself up, Ford allegedly used a handgun to shoot the K-9. The wounded dog was promptly taken to an animal hospital but later died from its injuries.
Officers set up a perimeter to enclose Ford. When they came into contact with him again, they repeatedly commanded him to put down his weapon. Ford, however, is said to have pointed his gun at the police, prompting them to use deadly force. He was fatally shot in the process. The incident did not result in any other casualties.
An ongoing investigation is being carried out by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
