Sex assault suspect killed after shooting at Clayton officers, GBI says

Robert Prince was fatally shot by Clayton County police officers Thursday after opening fire on them, the GBI said.

Credit: GBI

Credit: GBI

Robert Prince was fatally shot by Clayton County police officers Thursday after opening fire on them, the GBI said.

A man suspected of sexual assault was shot and killed Thursday after opening fire on police in Clayton County, the GBI said.

Robert Prince, 38, was fatally shot by police near a Valero gas station on Riverdale Road just south of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the state agency said. No officers were injured in the incident, but at least one patrol car took gunfire.

Before Clayton officers came into contact with Prince, the GBI said they were investigating allegations of sexual assault and false imprisonment involving the man and his wife. The agency said that as officers were arriving to execute a search warrant at the location where the assault took place, Prince drove past in a black car.

Officers decided to follow Prince to the gas station to attempt to detain him for questioning, officials said.

Prince is then accused of getting out of his vehicle and shooting at officers, the GBI said. Bullets hit the windshield and body of a patrol car.

Law enforcement took cover and returned fire, killing Prince, according to the agency. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting, which marked the 17th the agency has been asked to probe this year, and turn over all findings to the Clayton District Attorney’s Office.

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