Gwinnett County Police Officer Antwan Toney and a fellow officer responded to a call about the suspicious vehicle Saturday afternoon in Snellville. When they arrived, shots were fired from the car, one of them hitting Toney.
His fellow officers returned fire and dragged him to safety. He later died at a nearby hospital.
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The suspects fled but crashed the car not far away. Police later arrested 19-year-old Isaiah Pretlow, who was charged with aggravated assault related to a separate incident following Toney's fatal shooting, police said.
Authorities said they believe 18-year-old Tafahree Maynard fatally shot Toney. He is still on the run and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Georgia police officer from Southern California shot to death
The 30-year-old officer from Southern California had been with the Gwinnett County Police Department for nearly three years. It was his first police job.
His older brother, Dartangan Johnson, recalled that Toney always wanted to be a police officer from when he was very young.
"He didn't deserve it. He was a standup guy and it is heartbreaking," Johnson said.
Toney started his law enforcement career in Orange County. The city of Orange said he had been a police explorer there in 2006.
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"The people that worked with Officer Toney on a daily basis recalled a very jovial person who was dedicated to his job and dedicated to his community," Gwinnett County Police Chief Butch Ayers said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.