Atlanta police officer shot during mental health crisis response

An Atlanta police officer and a woman were injured Monday morning during a response to a 911 call involving an armed man experiencing a mental health crisis. The incident occurred at a residence in the 1400 block of Clark Howard Lane SW.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), 24-year-old Michael Gates appeared in a hallway holding a firearm and fired at officers, striking Officer Devonte Matthews in the arm. Officers returned fire, but Gates was not injured and was taken into custody. A woman residing at the home was also wounded in the leg. Both the officer and the woman were treated at a hospital and subsequently released.

Gates’ mother, Roberta Sheffield, stated that her son has struggled with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. She expressed gratitude that officers did not use fatal force, noting that Officer Matthews had previously visited the home for mental health calls and had shown compassion toward her son.