ICYMI: GBI Investigating DeKalb Police Shooting Incident

The GBI is looking into a DeKalb County police attempt to stop a burglary in progress that ended in a debacle that left a family dog dead and two people, including a police officer, wounded by police gunfire.

On Aug. 31, police were dispatched to Boulderwoods Drive in response to the burglary call, but were not given specific enough instructions as to what house was allegedly being burglarized. Without knowing which house the burglary was taking place, police entered the back a home that matched the description given by dispatchers.

Once inside, officers encountered a dog, who was shot and killed. The homeowner, later identified as Chris McKinley, was also wounded by gunfire after he came out of a room near the kitchen, WSB-TV says. The initial investigation indicates that one officer accidentally opened fire on another, wounding him.

An attorney for McKinley says that the DeKalb police report detailing the incident is full of misinformation; the lawyer tells WSB-TV that the dog that was killed was not a pit bull but a 10-year-old Boxer, and the narrative that claims McKinley burst through a closed door to surprise officers was bogus. The initial GBI investigation has concluded that McKinley was not armed when he was shot, WSB-TV says.

DeKalb police are waiting for the GBI to complete their investigation before issuing additional comments on the incident.