DeKalb Police ID Suspect In Officer Shooting

DeKalb police have released the name and picture of a man wanted in connection with an officer-involved shooting.

Derek Frye faces three counts of aggravated assault, and Channel 2 Action News has learned from multiple sources that Frye is believed to be the shooter.

Officials said Frye has contacted them but has not turned himself in.

Officer Jerome Tillery was shot under the arm, below his bulletproof vest, while responding to a call regarding possible shots fired, said DeKalb Public Safety Director William Miller.

The shooting happened at about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 2300 block of River Road near Bouldercrest Road.

Tillery was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital in serious condition, police said.

Channel 2 Action News reporter Eric Philips got reaction from the officer's family outside the hospital.

“He’s doing good,” said Tony Blake, the officer’s cousin.

"The officer is alert. He appears to be doing well under the circumstances," said DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis. "It was a very serious wound. It appears to be non-life-threatening," said Ellis.

Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish told Channel 2 that a SWAT team was searching a wooded area for the gunman.

SLIDESHOW: DeKalb Police Officer Shooting Scene | Team 2 Coverage: Suspect Named In DeKalb Officer Shooting

Miller told Channel 2 Action News reporter Ryan Young during a live interview that the officer said he noticed a suspicious-looking pickup truck. When Tillery approached the truck, Miller said three people jumped out and fled on foot. At some point, the officer was shot, Miller said. Sources told Young that the pickup was reported stolen out of Atlanta.

News Chopper 2 flew over the scene and captured video of numerous police officers questioning several men at the nearby Eagle’s Run Apartment Complex on Bouldercrest Road. Residents told Channel 2 that they were asked to remain inside their apartments.

Officers from various agencies, including Capitol police, also gathered at Grady. Many of them helped escort the ambulance that transported Tillery to Grady.

According to a representative for the department, Tillery has been on the DeKalb police force for more than two years.

Less than a week ago, a Georgia Capitol police officer was grazed in the head by a bullet in the 300 block of Edgewood Avenue.