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Man shot, killed after charging at officer with ax

ATLANTA — An Atlanta police officer told investigators, he had to shoot a man coming at him with an ax.

The shooting happened after noon on Claire Drive in southeast Atlanta. Officials said the officer fired his gun three times.

“A caller explained that there was an individual acting violent towards him. However, that individual left the scene,” Capt. Paul Guerrucci said. “The officer went to engage that individual and then during his investigation, the subject pulled an ax on the officer which was approximately three feet in length and attacked the officer. That attack escalated into the officer shooting and killing the suspect.”

Channel 2’s Ryan Young talked to the man’s wife.

“I told them he had dementia. I told them don’t hurt him, he got dementia. He ain’t a violent person,” Teresa Williams said. “They didn’t have to kill my husband like that. You know, that’s all I had left.”

Williams said she had been married to the man for 11 years.