The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has released the names of those involved in the most recent officer-involved shooting in Athens.
According to a department release, the suspect has been identified as 45-year old Nan Zhao of Athens. The officers involved are Sgt. Matt Smith, who has been with the department for 14 years and officer Paul Harris, who has been on the job for seven months. As per department policy, both officers are on administrative leave with pay.
Shortly after 8 pm Saturday, officers were sent to Royale Road regarding a report of one neighbor threatening to shoot another. When officers attempted to question Zhao, he fired several shots at them.
The officers returned fired, striking Zhao who later died at an area hospital.
An autopsy will be conducted on Zhao at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur.
No officers were injured in the incident.
