Suspect dies, trooper wounded in Atlanta-area chase

Authorities said a suspect shot a Georgia State Patrol Trooper during a shoot out following a chase Wednesday afternoon along I-75 near Delk Road in Cobb County. The Georgia State Trooper who was also shot is expected to fully recover after being released from surgery Wednesday evening. Two lanes briefly reopened but, just after 4:30 p.m., Marietta police said the interstate would be shut down at South Marietta Parkway with southbound traffic redirected onto that road.

Fields chased the Silverado for about 10 miles with two other troopers joining in to try to execute a “box-in maneuver”, where they flank the vehicle and try to get in front and bring it to a slow stop, Perry said.

The driver and Fields exchanged gunfire, but as of Wednesday afternoon, Perry said he did not know many details of the shooting, such as who shot first or whether any other officers fired their weapons. Fields was shot in the lower abdomen and once in the leg. Stripling says being a trooper is a job you must have a passion for. He underwent surgery and doctors later said he was expected to make a full recovery.

“He’s alert, he’s conscious, he’s talking”, Perry said. Policer say Rodriguez then rear-ended a auto at I-75 and Delk Road, then got out of his vehicle and exchanged fire with state and Cobb police.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said it will continue to investigate the incident.

Both Fields and the suspect were alive after the shooting as of Wednesday night. Additional troopers joined the chase and ultimately surrounded the vehicle.

Perry said Cobb County police officers were able to reach the wounded lawman and the suspect moments after the gun battle.

Stripling has been with the Georgia State Patrol for five years.

There is no estimate as to when normal traffic flow will resume. Both men were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital. A state trooper and a suspect were shot Wednesday, in a police chase in suburban Atlanta, the Georgia State Patrol said.