Georgia Bureau of Investigation(AMERICUS, Ga.) — Some 20 law enforcement agencies worked through the night in Georgia to track down a suspect who allegedly shot two police officers, killing one and leaving another in critical condition.
The shooting happened Wednesday morning at an apartment complex in Americus near the Georgia Southwestern University campus, reports ABC affiliate WSB-TV.
Investigators say Officer Nicholas Smarr of the Americus Police Department and Georgia Southwestern Police Officer Jody Smith were responding to a domestic disturbance call when the suspect, Minguell Lembrick, shot the men.
Officers said Lembrick has been on the run since and is considered to be armed and very dangerous. He was wanted on kidnapping charges prior to Wednesday’s domestic call, police say.
Smarr died shortly afterwards while Smith was airlifted to hospital in Macon.
“We’ve got dozens of officers out from at least 20 agencies that are represented here, and they’re doing searches, road checks and a very aggressive approach,” Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan told WSB-TV.
“It’s a tragedy beyond words. It’s one of our family members has been taken from us,” said Americus Police Chief Mark Scott.
Nearby Georgia Southwestern University was put on lockdown on Wednesday while investigators searched for Lembrick.
“The suspect in the Americus shooting is still at large; however, Georgia Southwestern academic and administrative buildings have been released,” the university said in an alert on Wednesday night, adding, “Students in residence halls are being asked to stay in their building throughout the night. Campus police will be on alert.”
Police are offering a $30,000 reward for information leading to Lembrick’s arrest.
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