Officer On Leave After Shooting Tourist: Police

ATLANTA, GA -- An Atlanta police officer who shot a North Carolina tourist over the weekend has been placed on administrative leave, Patch has learned. For more police news and updates on this and other stories in Atlanta, click here to get Patch's daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts.

The shooting happened Saturday when an off-duty Atlanta police officer was directing traffic about 10 p.m. just off Northside Drive and Ivan Allen Boulevard when he encountered a white Ford 350 van, police said.

The driver "disregarded the officer’s traffic directions and drove in the direction of the officer," according to the GBI. As the van sped toward him, the officer shot the driver, 46-year-old Noel Hall of Morganton, North Carolina.

Hall was in town for a motorcross competition at the Georgia Dome.

Read more: Officer shoots driver in van headed toward him

The van entered Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard from Northside Drive and continued on for several blocks before stopping. The other occupants in the van called 911.

"We know the officer was at the intersection, the vehicle proceeded in his direction (and) for whatever reason the officer fired a shot," Atlanta Police Sgt. Warren Pickard told news reporters.

He said that it was standard for an officer to be placed on leave for a few days after a shooting. Pickard said that it is too early to determine whether any charges will be filed in the case.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent probe into the shooting.

"We hope that the facts reveal exactly what happened," Pickard said.

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