Off-duty Atlanta police officer was shot while breaking into Douglas County home, officials say

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga – An Atlanta police officer was shot and killed outside a Douglas County home on Oct. 4 during an apparent early morning burglary attempt, investigators say. According to the Atlanta Police Department, the officer has been identified as Investigator Aubree Horton.

The incident happened around 5 a.m. Friday at a home on Orkney Way near E. Carroll Road in the St. Andrews Country Club neighborhood.

Douglas County Sheriff Tim Pounds said officers responded to a burglary call at the scene.

“We believe that a person attempted to break into the residence during an attempted burglary,” the sheriff said. “Once inside, the homeowner pulled out a firearm in self-defense and shot the person. At this point the person is deceased.”

According to officials, after Investigator Horton entered the home, the homeowner opened fire and fatally shot him. Investigators are treating the incident as an act of self-defense.

Neighbors were shocked by the fatal shooting.

“I’ve lived here for five years and I can promise you that you don’t expect to see anything like this here,” said resident Milton Johnston.

Authorities said Horton also lived in the neighborhood, about a half-mile from the crime scene, and may have been having a mental episode or was under the influence of narcotics.

“We believe the burglar lived in the neighborhood,” Sheriff Pounds added. “This is an active investigation and there are many details we are still working to uncover.”

The Atlanta Police Department confirmed in a statement that Horton, who had been with the force since November 2015 and was most recently assigned to the fugitive unit, was off-duty at the time of the incident.

“We are working closely with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to learn more about the incident as the investigation continues,” the statement said.

Investigator Horton was honored as Officer of the Year at the Crime is Toast breakfast a few days earlier on September 24th.

Investigator Aubree Horton (Atlanta Police Department)

This story is developing. Further information can be found here. If you have additional information, pictures or video email [email protected].