2 in custody after officer-involved shooting in East Point

EAST POINT, Ga. — It happened in the area of DeLowe Drive and Ben Hill about 6 p.m. Wednesday.

According to police, a driver tried to pin an officer with his car and the officer opened fire.

The officer was responding to a report of a possible stolen vehicle and called for backup, East Point Police Public Information Officer Cliff Chandler said.

Chandler said when backup arrived, the driver pinned the officer between his car and the door as he tried to get out.

The officer, fearing for his life, fired several shots into the car while pinned, he said.

"The perpetrators actually struck the initial detective. He was trying to get out of his car when they struck his vehicle. They pinned him between the door frame of his car,” said Chandler.

The two people in the car tried to flee and crashed into two other cars. They then exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Two suspects were taken into custody, Chandler said.

Police say they're trying to determine how many others were involved.

"It could be anyone from one to three. So we're going to talk to him and see if he'll tell us anything else,” Chandler said.

Witnesses were in a nearby building when the shots were fired.

"My first instinct was to get on the floor. That's everybody's instinct,” said witness Jamiria Lovett.

Chandler said it does not appear anyone was struck by the gunfire.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation officials are investigating the scene.

WSBTV