Cops: Suspect threatened firefighters before shootout with officer

Michael Thompson

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Michael Thompson

An East Point man is in jail after police say he threatened firefighters before shooting at a police officer.

Police say Michael Thompson, 37, pulled a gun and threatened College Park firefighters when he asked them for directions “to the airport,” Channel 2 Action News reported. The firefighters were responding to another call when Thompson pulled up in his truck.

An East Point police officer was just a few yards away and responded to the scene. Thompson was pulled over, then fired shots at the officer, Channel 2 reported.

“Our officer did return fire,” East Point police Det. Ebony Johnson said. “The subject got out of his car and fired shots again at our officer.” Twenty rounds were fired.

The shootout stopped when Thompson’s gun jammed, Channel 2 reported. He was taken to jail after a physical altercation.

No one was injured in the gunfire.

Know what's really going on with crime and public safety in your metro Atlanta community, including breaking news, trial coverage, trends and the latest on unsolved cases. Sign up for the AJC's crime and safety newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox.

In other news: