APD mounted patrol officers catch murder suspect while working extra shift

ATLANTA — Members of the Atlanta Police Department’s mounted patrol unit captured a murder suspect moments after a shooting last month, the department said.

The officers, who usually are on horseback, were working an extra shift as party of the city’s crackdown on street racing on Feb. 27.

During a traffic stop, someone flagged them down about a shooting that happened next door.

Officers found a victim dead from a gunshot wound. Witnesses told them that the gunman, 42-year-old Lashon Grace, ran away from the scene.

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Less than seven minutes later, the officers spotted a man who fit Grace’s description walking down a nearby street.

Body camera video shows the moments the officers followed Grace and saw him throw a gun over a fence.

“He just threw a gun! He just threw a gun!” one officer yells in the video.

The officers ordered Grace to the ground and were able to take him into custody.

“APD officers train for the unexpected and this incident is a good example how a seemingly routine incident can quickly turn into something else,” the department said. “We are proud of the work of our officers and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased.”

Grace has been charged with murder and is at the DeKalb County jail.

The victim’s name has not been released.

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