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Police seek help finding person that shot officer in face

ATLANTA — Atlanta police say they have some solid leads after an officer was shot in the face, but now they need your help.

Officer Christopher Smith was working a regular off-duty security job at the Edgewood Court apartments on Hardee Street in East Atlanta when a man approached him with a shotgun.

"What we are asking for right now is if anybody has more information that could help further this investigation, we are asking they get in contact with APD or either Crime Stoppers," said Capt. Paul Guerucci of the Atlanta Police Department.

Smith was shot in the face and leg Saturday night.

"So, was it kind of out of the blue that the guy approached the officer like that?" Channel 2's Craig Lucie asked Guerucci.

"Well I guess you could consider that. It was obviously very unexpected," answered Guerucci.

It was an ambush, and now detectives are looking for witnesses.

"We are working on multiple leads. The investigation is complex, as with any shooting case," explained Guerucci.

Back in April, police said an angry mob threw bricks and a hammer at two police cars as they drove through the same complex.

Lucie asked Guerucci if this could be related. He told him that he couldn't reveal many details and would only address this specific case.

Police said they still don't have an exact motive. Anyone with information in the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.