Man Says He Called 911, Shot at Police So They Would Kill Him

Valdosta, GA -- A south Georgia man has admitted that he called 911 to lure police to his location.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Stephen Paul Beck, 22, called 911 on Friday morning to report a stolen car. When Valdosta Police Officer Randall Hancock arrived at Beck's apartment complex, he got out of his car and was fired upon. Hancock was struck twice in his protective vest and once beneath the vest, in his abdomen.

Hancock returned fire and struck the person shooting at him, who police have identified as Beck.

Hancock was taken to a local hospital where he was in stable condition. Beck was also taken to a hospital in serious condition.

During an interview with police, Beck admitted he called 911 and shot Hancock because he wanted police to shoot him, as he wanted to die. Beck said he suffers from depression and has no hatred for police.

Criminal charges against Beck for aggravated assault on a police officer are pending.

Valdosta is located near the Georgia-Florida border.

The shooting came the morning after five Dallas police officers were killed in a deadly sniper attack, which also left several others wounded. Police say there is no connection between the Valdosta and Dallas incidents.

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