Police Shoot Burglary Suspect, Ending SWAT Standoff

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The burglary suspect who threatened to take his own life during a SWAT standoff Thursday afternoon along Roswell Road has been shot by officers, bringing an end to the police activity that cut off access to downtown Sandy Springs to motorists for the Thursday afternoon commute, police have confirmed to Patch.

While the standoff along Roswell Road between Hilderbrand and Hammond drives has come to an end, the city said the road will remain closed in both directions while police continue to process the scene.

SWAT team members attempted to use a distractionary device to "disorient the suspect and disarm him,” said Sandy Springs police spokesperson Sgt. Sam Worsham.

However, team members had to fire upon the suspect, the sergeant added. It's unclear how many times the man was hit, but preliminary report suggests he suffered non-life threatening injuries, Worsham said. The suspect has been transported to an area hospital for treatment. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will investigate the shooting of the suspect, whose name, age and residence has not been released at this time.

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The events unfolded when police were dispatched to a burglary call Thursday afternoon at Modera Sandy Springs apartments at 6125 Roswell Road. Police arrived at the scene to find three suspects. Two were detained, but one fled the scene on foot. Police chased that suspect, who was "cornered" between two buildings in the 6000 block of Roswell Road while negotiators worked toward a "peaceful resolution," Worsham told Patch.

Motorists and residents should note that Roswell Road will remain closed in this area for the next few hours, so you should avoid the downtown area for the rest of the evening. The closure could delay some of MARTA's buses that will have to reroute around the road closure.

Return to Patch for updates.

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