Suspect dead, officer shot in head following carjacking incident, police say

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A carjacking suspect is dead after a chase and shootout with police in Cobb County. Police said the chase started off Delk Road Thursday night and ended around the intersection of Akers Mill and Powers Ferry roads.

The shootout continued into a condo complex where police said the man fired at officers and shot one of them.

“He ran right through my side yard and when he was running you could hear the gun discharge, which seemed like an accident,” neighbor Chris O’Leary said.

Police said the man shot the officer in the head, but the bullet did not penetrate the skull. The officer was taken to the hospital and has been released.

On Friday morning, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect as 37-year-old Martin Humberto Sanchez Fregoso, of Smyrna.

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Channel 2′s Matt Johnson was at the scene Thursday night as the GBI and police investigated.

The night started when police showed up to a carjacking call in a Publix parking lot off Delk Road. Police found the stolen vehicle and attempted to stop it. Police said Fregoso immediately opened fire on officers and took off.

Eventually, the chase ended up at Akers Mill Road near Interstate 285, where the man continued shooting at officers. Witnesses said Fregoso tried to get a resident inside one of the Chattahoochee Chase Condos to hide.

“He first approached some people who were out on their deck, asking if he could enter their home and they refused,” O’Leary said.

Officers returned fire and killed Fregoso, who was armed with a rifle according to witnesses and investigators.

Now the department is asking for prayers for the officer.

“I’d ask for your prayers for our officer and his family as the officer is going through recovery,” Cobb County police Chief Tim Cox said.

The officer is home recovering. Police have not released the officer’s name.

2nd week of major slowdown in policing after Rayshard Brooks shooting A police official is warning that core neighborhoods will suffer if police are not as active.

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