APD officer shot responding to mental health crisis

Atlanta Police Officer DeVante Matthews was shot on Monday morning while responding to a call concerning a mental health crisis.

According to APD, officers responded to an armed individual experiencing a mental health crisis at 1421 Clark Howard LN SW around 8:40 a.m. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the individual inside the residence.

The armed man discharged a firearm, striking Matthews in the arm. Officers immediately rendered aid to the injured officer, who was transported to Grady Hospital for further treatment. He is in stable condition, according to APD.

While on scene, officers also located an adult female inside the residence who sustained an apparent gunshot wound to the leg. She was transported to Grady for treatment.

The suspect – identified as Michael Gates, 24 – was disarmed and taken into custody without further incident.

APD Chief Darin Schierbaum said during a press conference that the suspect was known to officers and had made multiple visits to the home on mental health calls.

At the press conference, Mayor Andre Dickens urged state officials and political candidates to address the mental health crisis happening across Georgia.

“Mental illness is real, and officials have to do more,” Dickens said. “We need to have more care for those who have mental health challenges.”

During Monday afternoon’s Atlanta City Council meeting, Schierbaum elaborated on the incident. He said Matthews was struck twice – once in the arm and another in his bulletproof vest. His partner applied a tourniquet before he was transported to Grady.

“This underscores the hard work of the men and women who report to duty every day, but it also, on that second call, underscores the importance of mental health,” the chief said. “That the department would be returning repeatedly to the same location is of concern.”

Logan C. Ritchie contributed to this report.

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