Teen shot, killed by Union City police

UNION CITY, Ga.,UNION CITY, Ga. — A 19-year-old was killed in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday evening. Witnesses and officers have conflicting stories about what transpired.

Union City police were called to Hickory Lane Circle in Union City around 7 p.m. over a fight where shots were fired. But witnesses said the late Ariston Waiters was not involved in the fight.

Friends admit that when officers showed up, Waiters took off running.

"He seen the cops coming, so he ran because he has a warrant out," Xavier Tyes told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri.

Witnesses said as Waiters was running away, an officer shot him.

"They rolled up. One jumped out of the car, and one drove around to the backside of our complex and there was a pow," Walter Poindeter said.

Police have a different story.

"During a foot chase, one of the suspects got into a physical altercation with the officer and the officer shot him," Union City police Detective Gloria Hodgson said.

Tyes said everyone in the area saw the same thing.

"Everybody out here could tell you they didn't see that man fight the officer," he said.

Waiters was taken to Grady Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The mother of Waiters' 5-month-old said the family is deeply affected.

"One day, I'll have to explain this to her," Shantaya Holmes said.

Waiters' grandmother was in tears.

"They didn't have to shoot him. They didn't have to shoot my grandson," she said.

WSBTV