ROSWELL, Georgia — On Saturday, authorities began a probe into the tragic shooting death of a police officer in Georgia, with a suspect now in custody.
The incident unfolded on Friday night when a police officer in Roswell responded to a report concerning a suspicious individual at a pickleball club parking lot, according to a statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Upon arrival, the officer approached the man, identified as 23-year-old Edward Espinoza, for questioning. During this interaction, Espinoza drew a handgun and fired several rounds at the officer, who has yet to be named publicly. The injured officer later succumbed to injuries at a hospital, according to the bureau’s report.
Following the shooting, law enforcement officials apprehended Espinoza. He faces multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, and illegal possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
As of Saturday, online records did not reveal whether Espinoza had legal representation to address the charges against him. Efforts to reach Fulton County’s Public Defender’s Office for comment went unanswered.
The findings of the investigation will be forwarded to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of potential charges, stated the GBI.
Roswell is situated approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Atlanta.
In response to the incident, the Roswell Police Department released a statement expressing the need to prioritize support for the family of the deceased officer and the grieving department, promising that more information regarding the tragic event will be disclosed in the days ahead.