Marietta, GA – Two Cobb County sheriff’s deputies were ambushed and murdered while attempting to serve a warrant on Thursday night.
The incident began shortly after 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 8, when two Cobb County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies responded to a residence at the corner of Fenwick Drive and Hampton Glen Court, WAGA reported.
“From my understanding, the deputies had made an attempt at the home, knocked on the door, rang the doorbell, (and) no one came to the house,” said Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens told reporters.
Sheriff Owens said the deputies were getting back into their patrol unit when a vehicle drove up to the house, residence reported.
“They assumed it was the suspect who lived there, and, as they got back to the car – as he got into his car, shots were fired,” the sheriff said.
Investigators said there were two gunmen – one who shot at the officers from the car and one who opened fire from the residence, according to WSB.
At least one of the deputies was able to radio for help, WAGA reported.
“We have an officer down,” a dispatcher was heard saying over the radio at approximately 7:48 p.m.
Area law enforcement officers swarmed the scene, followed shortly thereafter by medics and firefighters, WAGA reported.
The wounded heroes were rushed to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where they were both pronounced dead shortly before 9 p.m.
“My two deputies were ambushed and killed,” Sheriff Owens confirmed.
The slain deputies’ identities were not immediately released.
Two @CobbSheriff deputies died tonight in the line of duty while serving a warrant. SWAT and FAST teams are at the scene. The suspect is barricaded.
We will release additional information, including the names of the fallen deputies, as it becomes available.
— Cobb County Sheriff’s Office (@CobbSheriff) September 9, 2022
Police said two suspects barricaded themselves inside the residence in the wake of the fatal shooting, resulting in a SWAT unit and other specialized law enforcement teams responding to the scene, WAGA reported.
Residents said they heard commotion at the house at approximately 11 p.m., and some reported that they saw smoke coming from the home.
Deputies were also ordering the suspects to surrender, witnesses told WAGA.
There’s a large law enforcement presence outside the emergency room of Wellstar Kennestone Hospital after 2 Cobb County Deputies were killed while serving a a warrant. There’s plenty of tears and hugs. The names have not been released just yet @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/7Nihb4EgTi
— Eric Perry (@Ericperrytv) September 9, 2022
Sheriff Owens said the suspects ultimately “came out peacefully” and were taken into custody without further incident.
Their identities were not immediately released.
Sheriff Owens said that at least one of the two people who were arrested was wanted for failing to appear on a charge of theft by deception, WAGA reported.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, as they mourn the loss of two deputies. pic.twitter.com/qRvDdxvamP
— Henry County Police (@HenryCoPolice) September 9, 2022
Sheriff Owens said the murdered deputies had both been with the CCSO for well over five years, according to WSB.
He said they were both “young, bright deputies” who served their communities with “dignity and honor,” WAGA reported.
“It is a sad night, this evening, for the citizens of Cobb County and for the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and for law enforcement at home,” the sheriff told reporters early Friday morning.
“Even more so, it is a night of heartache for two families from the Cobb Sheriff’s Office, two wives who have lost their amazing husbands,” he added.
RIGHT NOW: Law enforcement from several jurisdictions are huddled around Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta.
This after two Cobb County deputies were shot and killed while serving a warrant. @CBS46 pic.twitter.com/eKU28lNUV6
— Patrick Quinn (@PatrickQuinnTV) September 9, 2022
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