Police: Man shot by Atlanta officer had lengthy criminal history

Atlanta police have released more details after a man was shot and killed by a police officer in northwest Atlanta Thursday night.

The shooting happened in front of the Public Safety Annex, located in the 3400 block of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. According to investigators, two Atlanta Police Department officers drove to the facility to complete administrative duties.

Police said as the officers parked and got out of their vehicle, they smelled marijuana coming from another parked car. They approached the vehicle and found a man inside. He has been identified as Deondre Phillips.

The man shot to death by a police officer outside the police annex building was Deon dre Phillips.@FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/zdIK3ata7K

— Morse Diggs (@MoDiggsFOX5) January 27, 2017

Atlanta police said the officers began a conversation with Phillips, who exited the vehicle. Then, according to police, Phillips “lunged” back into the car and tried to flee.

Investigation underway into deadly officer-involved shooting. Shooting took place @Atlanta_Police Annex in NW #Atlanta. @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/QFpuLkVCzS

— Portia Bruner (@PortiaFOX5) January 27, 2017

Investigators said one of the officers was partially in the passenger side of the car as the vehicle tried to flee. That’s when the investigator opened fire, striking and killing Phillips.

The officers weren’t injured during the shooting. Both have been placed on routine, paid administrative leave.

According to Atlanta police, Phillips had an active warrant out for his arrest from Fulton County. Police also said there was a firearm visible on the floorboard of the passenger side of the vehicle he was in.

“It has been determined that the male has a lengthy criminal history as well as a gang affiliation with the Rolling 60s Crips,” Atlanta police said in a statement released to FOX 5.

The building where the shooting took place is mostly used for records and administration work, so it is not clear what the victim was doing there

#BreakingNews: @GBI_GA & @Atlanta_Police on scene of officer involved shooting in NW Atl. @FOX5Atlanta @russfox5 @CYNNEFOX5 @TomHaynesFox5 pic.twitter.com/36qAuNvujc

— Portia Bruner (@PortiaFOX5) January 27, 2017

FOX 5 was there as family members rushed the scene to mourn the loss of their loved one.

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