COLUMBUS - Two police officers shot and killed a 17-year-old robbery suspect Tuesday who fired on them when he was found hiding in a closet. <br>
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Derrick Howard of Columbus was shot once in the chest, said Muscogee County Coroner James Dunnavant. <br>
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Police Chief Willie Dozier said a driver delivering Chinese food reported being robbed shortly before noon Tuesday. <br>
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Officers Joseph Coats and Tony Cooper drove to the house to investigate. <br>
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A man who answered the door said he was the only one in the house but allowed the officers to look around, police said. <br>
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While Coats and Cooper were searching the house, they opened a closet door, Dozier said. Howard was inside and shot at the officers. The both fired back, though only one hit him. <br>
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Neither officer was injured. <br>
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Coats and Cooper will be placed on administrative leave, which is routine whenever an officer fires a weapon.
