COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Police searched throughout the night and into Friday morning for a gunman after a shootout in a school parking lot in College Park.
Fulton County Police are investigating the incident involving a College Park police officer. Authorities say an innocent bystander was shot during the exchange.
The shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot of Heritage Elementary School on Jolly Road.
Employees at a nearby cellphone store on Old National Highway say the ordeal began at the shop.
Workers said a man tried to sell an iPhone three days ago, but was turned down by the owner. The next day, a woman showed up at the store and said she had tracked her daughter's stolen phone to the store. On Thursday, the same man returned trying to sell the same phone, so the owner called 911.
When officers arrived just after 6 p.m., the man ran. College Park police caught up with him in the school parking lot about a mile away.
Investigators say a resident flagged down the officer at the school, where the shootout began. Investigators say the suspect, believed to be about 18 years old, shot at the officer first. A young woman was hurt in the crossfire.
"During the crossfire between the subject and the College Park police officer, an 18-year-old female was struck in the leg," said Fulton County Police Cpl. Kay Lester.
Police say the victim was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
It's not clear if the suspect was hit. Investigators believe he may have ran into a nearby apartment complex.
"We are developing leads trying to identify this individual and once we identify him we are going to continue this search," said Lester.
Investigators are not certain whose bullet hit the bystander.