2 Girls Rescued, Man Shot By Police During Child Trafficking Investigation In Cobb County

SMYRNA, GA — A Cobb County police officer shot a man during a suspected child trafficking sting at Red Roof Inn in Smyrna, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting.

The Cobb County Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children unit was investigating possible child trafficking Tuesday, which led officers to a possible victim at Red Roof Inn on Winchester Parkway in Smyrna, according to a GBI news release.

Around 7 p.m., investigators knocked on the door of a hotel room at Red Roof Inn, and a girl opened the door. Inside the room were two girls with Atwon White, 29, of Williamson, the GBI said.

"When White saw the investigators, he pointed a handgun at the officers and ran out the room and into the parking lot," the release said. "In the parking lot, he pointed the handgun at a uniformed CCPD officer, at which time the officer shot White once with his issued rifle."

White was treated on scene and taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. He's reported to be in critical condition as of Wednesday, but is expected to survive, according to the GBI.

No officers were injured. The two girls were rescued and are being helped.

The GBI will investigate the officer-involved shooting. Once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Cobb County District Attorney's Office for review.