Officer shot, 1 suspect dead near Georgia Walmart

ATLANTA – Authorities say a police officer has been shot by a shoplifting suspect near a Walmart store in Georgia.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement that 34-year-old Covington Officer Matt Cooper is in serious condition following the Monday afternoon shooting.

Police say officers were responding to the report of a shoplifting, when the suspects ran away and fired, hitting Cooper.

21-year-old suspect Aaron Demonta Fleming was shot and killed at the scene. Authorities say the gunshot was likely self-inflicted. Two other suspects are in police custody.

The incident happened at about 1 p.m. Monday. Covington is about 35 miles (56 kilometres) southeast of Atlanta.