A Georgia police officer was fatally shot while responding to a call at a pickleball club on Saturday, and police are still investigating what happened.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations shared in a press release that a suspect in the shooting, identified as 23-year-old Edward Espinoza, has been arrested.
The officer, identified as 24-year-old officer Jeremy Labonte, was responding to a report of a suspicious person in the parking lot of the Roswell pickleball club.
The officer reportedly approached Espinoza for questioning, and in response, the suspect pulled a handgun and fired multiple shots at the officer. The bureau shared that the officer later died at a local hospital.
Espinoza has since been taken into custody and charged with murder, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The GBI shared that the results of its investigation will be shared with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.
The Roswell Police Department shared in a press release that in the coming days more information will be made available. However, it added that the “priority now is to surround and support the family of our fallen officer and grieving department.”
“We also ask that we remain mindful of the heavy sacrifices law enforcement and their families make to keep all of us safe each and every day,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement. “May this courageous man’s memory inspire all of us in the days, weeks, and years ahead.”