Gwinnett County Police arrested a man Saturday afternoon in the Lawrenceville area who was convicted of murder about 30 years prior after walking away from a transitional facility.
According to a press release from the agency, officers were dispatched at about 5 p.m. to a possible sighting of Charles Edward Smith, 51, near Grayson Parkway and Crane Drive.
Arriving officers found Smith outside a nearby home, at which time he began to run toward Crane Drive. Officers deployed K9 Nitro. Smith was later spotted with his arms around the K9 behind a home. Officers gave Smith commands to release the K9.
A nearby officer then tased Smith, which caused him to fall to the ground. However, Smith continued to resist his arrest. He was eventually placed in handcuffs.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Smith had been on parole since 2021 and left the Atlanta Transitional Center on Ponce de Leon Avenue on Wednesday.
Smith was also charged with felony obstruction following the incident. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained from the K9.
