safety
Shooter freed because deputy said ‘police’ only after he was shot
By Brendan Keefe at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 9, 2026
· 5 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - More than year after police vowed to hold a gunman accountable for shooting a Fulton County Sheriff’s deputy, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) has closed the case without charging anyone. While APD investigators said surveillance video of the shooting drove ...
Key takeaway While APD investigators said surveillance video of the shooting drove their decision to close the case, the department has repeatedly refused to allow the public to see it.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The decision by the Atlanta Police Department to close the case without charging anyone has significant implications for public trust in law enforcement. The fact that Deputy Lafond did not identify himself as a police officer until after the gunfire raises questions about police protocols and training. In a city where community-police relations are already strained, this incident may further erode trust, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the unhoused individual who was initially suspected of making threats. The refusal by APD to release the surveillance video to the public, despite initially citing it as the reason for closing the case, also raises concerns about transparency and accountability. As the city continues to grapple with issues of public safety and policing, this incident highlights the need for clear communication and protocols to prevent similar situations in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - More than year after police vowed to hold a gunman accountable for shooting a Fulton County Sheriff’s deputy, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) has closed the case without charging anyone. While APD investigators said surveillance video of the shooting drove ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Brendan Keefe at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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