Clayton County police officer, suspect hospitalized after standoff, department says

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A Clayton County police officer and a suspect were hospitalized after a standoff Tuesday night, according to the Clayton County Police Department.

The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Daniel Neal, is in critical condition, while the officer is expected to recover, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said.

The officer shot was identified as Kenyon Ford with the Clayton County Police Department.

At around 5:45 p.m., officers responded to a person shot call on Arrowhead Boulevard in Jonesboro. Neal drove away when deputies tried to arrest him, and law enforcement followed him to a home in the 700 block of Summer Chase Drive, according to the sheriff’s office and GBI.

Neal refused to leave the home, leading to a SWAT standoff. After several hours, the SWAT team entered the home and Neal shot at them, hitting an officer in the lower body, the GBI said.

Officers shot back, hitting Neal several times.

An Atlanta News First crew captured Jonesboro police, Clayton County Sheriff’s deputies, Clayton County police, Lake City police and Atlanta police escorting the officer’s ambulance to the hospital.

“When I looked out the window, they had the street cornered off with cops and guns pointing at the house,” Neighbor Tinica Allen said.

Police said the GBI will be leading an independent investigation into the shooting.

The incident marks the 12th shooting involving an officer the GBI has been asked to investigate this year.

Clayton County police also say officers are using a search warrant to look for evidence inside the home. Charges related to both incidents will be brought up against the suspect.

“Never in 30-years of living here has anything like this ever happened,” Neighbor Shielia Hill said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Ford on his road to recovery. You can learn more here.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.