An off-duty Atlanta police investigator was fatally shot by a homeowner during an attempted break-in early Friday morning in Douglas County, Georgia. Authorities have released video footage and additional details regarding the incident, which occurred around 5:08 a.m. on Orkney Way in Winston, a community just west of metro Atlanta.
The deceased, identified as Aubree Horton, 32, was a veteran officer with the Atlanta Police Department’s fugitive unit. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported he had been recently honored as “Investigator of the Year” at the Atlanta Police Foundation’s Crime is Toast ceremony. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Horton was reportedly experiencing a “mental health episode or under the influence of narcotics” when he attempted to enter the residence.
Video footage released by the sheriff’s office shows Horton, shirtless and shoeless, running toward the home’s front door while shouting “Jesus” and “Help me.” He then attempts to force the door open by slamming into it multiple times, at one point shouting, “No, kill me.” Horton later sits on the steps, taking deep breaths with his hands on his face as the homeowner, who had been in bed, tries to communicate with him.
The homeowner’s wife, who had just left for work, was alerted to the situation by notifications from their Ring doorbell camera and called 911 after witnessing Horton’s behavior. The sheriff’s office detailed that the homeowner, concerned for his safety and that of his wife—whom he believed could still be at the residence—armed himself and approached the front door.
“The homeowner attempted to determine what was happening and asked Horton if he could help,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. However, when the homeowner slightly opened the door to better communicate with the distressed man, Horton forcibly rushed inside, knocking him to the ground.
“Fearing for his life and in defense of his home, the homeowner discharged a single round from his firearm, fatally wounding Horton inside his home,” the statement continued.
The homeowner and Horton were strangers to each other, and the sheriff’s office confirmed that there was no domestic disturbance involving Horton leading up to the incident. The residence had been the target of a previous burglary in 2021, which prompted the homeowner to enhance security measures, including installing cameras and reinforcing doors.
A Douglas County patrol officer who lived nearby and was about to leave for work responded to the scene after hearing the commotion. When sheriff’s investigators arrived, they initially struggled to identify Horton due to his lack of identification and disheveled appearance. His identity was later confirmed using a portable fingerprint scanner, and it was discovered that he lived within walking distance of the home.
The investigation is ongoing, with toxicology reports and other evidence still pending. The sheriff’s office noted that it could take months for the toxicology results to be completed. Video footage released from the incident has been partially redacted, with segments, including the sound of the fatal shot, held back until the case is closed.
While authorities continue to gather evidence, the sheriff’s office indicated that charges against the homeowner are unlikely.
“After reviewing the available facts, we do not believe charges will be filed against the homeowner,” the sheriff’s office stated, emphasizing that the shooting appeared to be an act of self-defense under the circumstances.
The video is sad to watch as the off-duty officer is obviously suffering a tragic mental breakdown of some kind and left the homeowner with little choice even as he sought to help the man out. Both the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Atlanta Police Department extended their condolences to Horton’s family and colleagues, describing the situation as a “tragic and unusual event.”
The shortage of police officers is critical in every major city, controlled by the democrats. So of course they will hire felons, illegal aliens, and keep suspect officers on duty.
His death is very sad. But necessary in order to protect the lives of innocent law abiding people.
Violent mentally ill people should be shot dead. Just like any healthy Violent criminal.
The anti’s will never understand that the unpredictability of people is one of the reasons we arm ourselves. This event is a perfect, in-their-face, example of such unpredictability.
Do a search on the Interwebs for the University of Kansas lefty commie professor that said all males who don’t vote for Kamala should be s*. As in bang.
Lefty commie professors is the principal reason I arm myself. Run of the mill maniacs and the usual suspects are far less dangerous because they don’t have as much influence.
Don’t open the door…
I’m just going to open the door so I can better talk to the crazy guy at 5 a.m. Uh…
There are door stops that are essentially a inch thick steel rod that can be inserted into the floor to prevent the door from opening more than a small crack that will stop anything short of a battering ram. Doesn’t work well with decorative tile or less sturdy floor panels though. Personally I like the speaker in the rockpile or bushes away from the door/porch idea as it redirects their attention when you talk to them and helps with assessing how crazy they may be.
“Video footage released by the sheriff’s office shows Horton, shirtless and shoeless”
The video has been removed.
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Knowing full well there is trouble on the doorsteps he surrenders control of the situation and opens the door to help. Let’s see…The not so pleasant sounding uninvited guest clearly displayed he wanted to come inside the house so dumbfuk opens the door to help. Instead of shooting the uninvited guest he should have let the guest kick his dumb azz.
reportedly experiencing a “mental health episode or under the influence of narcotics”
Whenever you hear “mental health” problems these days, it’s usually a euphemism for drug use. At least they somewhat admit it here. We don’t have a mental health crisis in this country. We have a substance abuse crisis. Why can’t they just say that?
Responsibility bad victimhood good
Chicken or the egg.
Are the crazy people self-medicating with drugs? Not sure how street drugs help but whatever. Or are the drugs making people crazy?
Probably both so lets treat them equally. They can live on the dole in gated druggie communes until they eventually OD and die. Win-win. They get to use and we don’t have to worry about lunatics kicking in our doors or running down the street swinging machetes.
Probably both. Instead of dealing with problems, they’re covering them up with “solutions” that make the situation worse. It’s the same way our government operates which makes perfect sense when you think about it. (A government by the people…)
“However, when the homeowner slightly opened the door to better communicate with the distressed man,”
homeowner was a retard then
I did total of 30 years in L.E. I remember we has a betting pool as when one specific officer would lose it and shoot up the department. Admin knew about everyone’s concerns and did nothing. He finally retired and moved away. Every dept has one (or two).
LOL!
What’s the lesson, kiddies?
Don’t open the door if a deranged lunatic is banging on it at oh-dark-thirty.
It’s time to get security doors.
I’m considering putting a hole near my front door. In order to discharge pepper spray or bear spray fog at anyone trying to break into my home.
It seems like a good less lethal option. And in a city with more mentally ill people around. It would not involve so many lawyers.
Removable peephole and have some sort of sealed funnel with a misting agent……..or a remote fogger if you are handy with electronics
This person needs a peephole for their front door.
Buy but but the blue line! The po-leece serve & protect! The “good” guys. I’m wary of all cops. So should YOU!!!🙄
The home owner is nearly as crazy as the former PO that got shot for opening the darn door. Forget that, unless someone I know is outside that dude is gonna either bail or wait till the cops show up to deal with him.