APD officer shot responding to mental health crisis
Atlanta Police Officer DeVante Matthews was shot on Monday morning while responding to a call concerning a mental health crisis. According to APD, officers responded to an armed individual experiencing a. . .
Atlanta Police Officer DeVante Matthews was shot on Monday morning while responding to a call concerning a mental health crisis. According to APD, officers responded to an armed individual experiencing a mental health crisis at 1421 Clark Howard LN SW around 8:40 a. m. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the individual inside the residence. The armed man discharged a firearm, striking Matthews in the arm. Officers immediately rendered aid to the injured officer, who was transported to Grady Hospital for further treatment. He is in stable condition, according to APD. While on scene, officers also located an adult female inside the residence who sustained an apparent gunshot wound to the leg. She was transported to Grady for treatment. The suspect – identified as Michael Gates, 24 – was disarmed and taken into custody without further incident. APD Chief Darin Schierbaum said during a press conference that the suspect was known to officers and had made multiple visits to the home on mental health calls. At the press conference, Mayor Andre Dickens urged state officials and political candidates to address the mental health crisis happening across Georgia. “Mental illness is real, and officials have to do more,” Dickens said. “We need to have more care for those who have mental health challenges. ”Collin Kelley is the executive editor of Atlanta Intown, Georgia Voice, and the Rough Draft newsletter. He has been a journalist for nearly four decades and is also an award-winning poet and novelist. More by Collin Kelley