Officer Killed in Line of Duty in Roswell
Authorities in Georgia are investigating the fatal shooting of a Roswell police officer who was gunned down while responding to a call Friday night. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Edward Espinoza, has been taken into custody, officials announced Saturday.
Deadly Shooting at Pickleball Club Parking Lot
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said the officer, whose name has not yet been released, was responding to a report of a suspicious person in the parking lot of a local pickleball club.
When the officer approached Espinoza for questioning, the suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and opened fire, striking the officer multiple times. The officer was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries, according to the GBI.
Suspect Charged with Murder
Espinoza was arrested at the scene and has been charged with murder, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
As of Saturday, it was unclear whether Espinoza had an attorney. Online court records did not list a lawyer, and a call to the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office by The Associated Press went unanswered.
Investigation Ongoing
The GBI is handling the investigation, and the findings will be turned over to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for potential prosecution.
Roswell, a city about 25 miles north of Atlanta, is mourning the loss of its officer. In a statement, the Roswell Police Department said, “Our priority now is to surround and support the family of our fallen officer and our grieving department.” Additional information is expected to be released in the coming days.
