A Saturday evening noise dispute between neighbors in Athens ended with a male suspect being fatally shot by police.
The GBI was called in to investigate after Athens-Clarke County officers were called to the Oaks Apartments just off Gaines School Road by one of the neighbors involved in the altercation.
"After meeting with the person calling 911, officers drove through the complex searching for the other party of the dispute, identified as Nan Zhao, age 45, of Athens," said the GBI's Public Affairs Director Nelly Miles. "Once the two officers located Zhao, they attempted to speak with him."
Zhap apparently refused to speak to the officers, instead hiding behind a dumpster. He then began firing on the officers with a handgun.
"Both officers returned fire, striking Zhao at least once. Zhao was treated on scene, but later died at the hospital," Miles said.
The officers were uninjured in the exchange, and have been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Miles said the incident was the 72nd officer-involved shooting the GBI has investigated this year.
