Daijiworld Media Network - Atlanta

Atlanta, Feb 2: A police officer was killed and another seriously injured after a man opened fire on them while being questioned at a suburban Atlanta hotel on Sunday, authorities said.

The incident occurred near Stone Mountain, around 40 km northeast of Atlanta, when two Gwinnett County police officers were dispatched to a hotel following a complaint that a credit card had been fraudulently used there, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Hotel staff reportedly directed the officers to the room of the suspect.

Gwinnett County Police Chief JD McClure said the suspect greeted the officers at his room and invited them inside. While the officers were discussing the matter with him, the man allegedly pulled out a handgun and opened fire in what police described as an unprovoked attack.

Officer Pradeep Tamang, 25, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. A native of Nepal, Tamang had joined the Gwinnett County Police Department last year. The second officer, identified as David Reed, sustained serious injuries and was hospitalised in stable condition.

The suspect was also shot by one of the officers during the exchange and is receiving medical treatment. Police said he is expected to survive.

Authorities identified the suspect as Kevin Andrews, 35, of Decatur, Georgia. It was not immediately known whether he has legal representation.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed condolences, saying the incident was a stark reminder of the risks faced daily by law enforcement personnel.

The investigation has been handed over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which routinely probes officer-involved shootings. Officials said decisions regarding charges against the suspect will be made following the completion of the probe.