Atlanta Officer Shot Responding to Mental Health Crisis, 24-Year-Old Man Arrested

ATLANTA, Ga. – An Atlanta police officer was shot and a woman was injured Monday morning after officers responded to a 911 call involving an armed man reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The incident happened at approximately 8:45 a.m. on Aug. 17 at a home in the 1400 block of Clark Howard Lane SW.

According to preliminary information from the GBI, Atlanta Police Department officers were dispatched to the residence after a caller reported a man with a gun who was experiencing a mental health crisis.

Officers entered the home and were speaking with the 911 caller in a hallway when 24-year-old Michael Gates of Atlanta appeared in the hallway holding a firearm, investigators said.

The GBI said Gates fired at the officers, striking and injuring one of them. Officers then returned fire.

Despite the exchange of gunfire, Gates was not injured and was immediately taken into custody.

A woman who also lived at the residence was injured during the incident. Authorities did not specify how she was injured or whether she was struck by gunfire.

Officer and Woman Released From Hospital

The wounded officer and the woman were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Both were later released, according to the GBI.

Atlanta Police took Gates into custody and are investigating the alleged aggravated assault on the officer. The GBI, which was requested to investigate by APD, is handling the independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

The GBI has not identified the officer involved or provided additional details about the gunfire exchanged inside the residence.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Atlanta at 770-388-5019.