Jason Byers/CBS Atlanta- A suspected car thief was shot and killed by an Atlanta officer after an altercation Wednesday.ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Police released the name of the suspect killed during a struggle in Inman Park Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012.
The man has been identified as 40-year-old James Sweatman Jr.
An Atlanta police officer remains on routine leave after shooting and killing him.
Police said the officer had responded to a call of a man breaking into cars in a parking lot behind an apartment building on North Highland Avenue just before 11 p.m.
The officer confronted the suspect, according to police. They struggled.
Right before police officers descended upon the apartment complex, a neighbor, Erica May, had just gotten home.
"I walked in the door, and we just heard a lot of noise, and that's when we heard the shots and all the officers came," said May.
"Shots were fired, and the subject was shot and killed on scene," said Lt. Paul Guerrucci, the department's homicide commander. The suspect, whom police have not identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have not released the name of the officer. He suffered minor injuries.
"He received abrasions throughout his body during the physical altercation," Guerrucci said.
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