Homeowner’s Self-Defense Shooting of Officer Sparks Investigation

In a tragic and perplexing incident, a Georgia homeowner found himself in a life-or-death situation when he fatally shot an off-duty Atlanta police officer who had broken into his home. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has released surveillance footage that sheds light on the events that unfolded early Friday morning.

The video shows the officer, Aubree Horton, shirtless and shoeless, attempting to break into the residence just after 5 a.m. The homeowner, acting in self-defense, shot Horton after he forcibly entered the home.

The incident took place in Winston, Georgia, a community located about 30 minutes west of Atlanta. The surveillance footage captures Horton yelling and running towards the house in the early morning darkness. He can be heard slamming his body against the door and shouting, “Help me!” and “Kill me!” before making another attempt to force his way inside.

As the video continues, Horton sits down on the porch, and the homeowner can be heard asking, “Who are you?” Horton responds with, “I love you. No, just kill me,” before lying down on the porch. The video concludes with Horton standing up again as the homeowner continues to communicate with him.

The sheriff’s office has redacted certain portions of the video, including the sound of the fatal shot and the response of law enforcement officers. These will be made available once the investigation is complete.

Prior to the incident, the homeowner’s wife had left for work but was alerted by her Ring doorbell camera to the unfolding situation. She promptly called 911. The homeowner, who had been in bed, was awakened by the commotion and, fearing for his wife’s safety, armed himself before approaching the front door.

The sheriff’s office noted that the couple had previously experienced an attempted burglary in 2021, which had prompted them to enhance their home’s security measures. This past experience may have heightened the homeowner’s sense of urgency and fear during the incident.

When the homeowner cracked the door open to assess the situation, Horton rushed inside, knocking him to the ground. In a moment of fear for his life, the homeowner discharged a single shot, resulting in Horton’s death.

The sheriff’s office is collaborating with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, and they have stated, “after reviewing the available facts, we are both confident that no charges will be filed against the homeowner.”

The situation is further complicated by Horton’s background. He was a decorated officer, having been named Investigator of the Year at the Atlanta Police Foundation’s 20th Annual “Crime Is Toast” Awards just days before the incident. Horton, who lived nearby, may have been experiencing a mental health crisis or was possibly under the influence of narcotics at the time, though toxicology results are still pending.

Authorities have dispelled rumors that the homeowner was connected to Horton or that Horton was involved in a domestic disturbance. “There is no truth to the claim that Officer Horton was involved in a domestic disturbance, or that any family member of his sought refuge at the home. Horton was completely unknown to the homeowner,” the sheriff’s office clarified.

As the investigation continues, the community and Horton’s colleagues are left grappling with the loss of an esteemed officer under such tragic circumstances.

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

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