Suspect in Georgia deaths killed in shootout with police, 3 officers wounded

UPDATE

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — Officers on Sunday shot and killed a man wanted in four weekend killings near Atlanta during an exchange of gunfire, with a sheriff’s deputy and two police officers wounded while trying to take the suspect into custody, authorities said.

Officials said Andre Longmore was shot during an intense manhunt for the 40-year-old suspect. The exchange of gunfire came a day after Saturday morning’s shootings rocked a bucolic subdivision in Hampton, south of Georgia’s main city.

Officials said Longmore was killed about 15 miles (25 kilometers) to the north of Hampton in suburban Jonesboro. Clayton County police said a Henry County sheriff’s deputy saw the SUV that Longmore stole from one of the victims and began chasing him, calling for help. After exchanging gunfire with Longmore, Clayton police said he ran away. He was ultimately shot dead at a townhouse complex next to a high school.

A Henry County sheriff’s deputy and two Clayton County police officers were injured at separate locations in the attempt to arrest Longmore, they said.

One officer was shot in the back and was taken by helicopter to an Atlanta trauma center, Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett said. “He is conscious, breathing and talking at this time,” Scandrett said of that officer.

Clayton County Police Chief Kevin Roberts said all three officers are expected to recover. Details on the conditions of the other two wounded officers weren’t immediately made public.

Hampton Police Chief James Turner said the four killed Saturday were all residents of the same Dogwood Lakes neighborhood where Longmore lived, and were all were shot within a 10-minute span. He identified the victims as 67-year old Scott Leavitt and his wife, 66-year old Shirley Leavitt, as well as 65-year-old Steve Blizzard and 66-year-old Ronald Jeffers.

Sherry Wyatt, who works at Hampton’s recreation center near Jeffers’ home, said Jeffers would regularly come in to sing at the senior center that shares the building.

A few months ago, Jeffers came over to her side of the building to practice and she told him how beautiful was his voice.

“I’m just so glad I told him he sang like an angel,” said Wyatt, adding her heart was heavy Sunday over his death. “I know he is in heaven now singing.”

A relative of Blizzard didn’t immediately respond to a Facebook message.

Authorities had been seeking to arrest Longmore on four murder warrants for the deaths. Turner said Longmore’s motives remained under investigation.

On Sunday, neighbor Frankie Worth told The Associated Press he heard a gunshot Saturday morning as he was reaching for his living room window to open the blinds and see how much yard work he had to do.

Worth said he ducked “just for a second” and then looked back out the window. “You know, when you get incoming, you’ve got to know where it’s coming from,” said Worth, who identified himself as a Marine Corps veteran.

Longmore, who Worth knew only as Andre, was standing in the street. He described seeing the man’s hands jerking from the recoil of firing a silver handgun.

Worth said the man appeared to have fired at a small white car driven by another neighbor, “an older white gentleman.” He said the shooting happened near a cul-de-sac where they all live.

Read More at: APNews

 

---

 

Press Release: City of Hampton Police Department
For Immediate Release
Contact: Captain Chaundra Brownlee (cbrownlee@hamptonga.gov)
Date: July 16, 2023

Information Needed
The City of Hampton Police Department is working in conjunction with the GBI, the U.S. Marshal’s Office and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office investigating and searching for Andre Longmore. Mr. Longmore is a black male, 40 years of age, approximately 5’10”.

We are actively receiving leads and looking into each tip provided.

We encourage the public to continue providing tips by contacting Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Andre Longmore is wanted for 4 counts of murder; do not approach as he is armed and dangerous. Call 911 immediately if you see him.

A press conference will be held on July 16, 2023, at the Hampton Police Department, 4 McDonough St. Hampton, Ga. 30228 at 4:00 P.M.

What we know

• Andre Longmore is a 40-year-old man who is between 5-feet-10 and 5-feet-11 inches tall.
• He was last seen wearing a dark shirt with red tones and long gray pants.
• Police said he escaped in a black 2017 GMC Acadia with the Georgia license plate number DHF756 — police said the car does not belong to Longmore.
• Longmore is considered armed and dangerous by authorities. If you see him, you are asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 and not approach him.
• Hampton Police Chief James Turner said that they do not yet have a motive for the shooting, but are actively investigating four separate crime scenes in the Hampton area.
• There is a $10,000 reward for anyone with information helping lead to the arrest of Longmore.