Off-duty officer shot and killed while trying to break into home

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. – An off-duty Atlanta police officer was shot and killed while he was allegedly attempting to break into a Douglas County home early Friday morning. The officer, identified as Investigator Aubree Horton, was recognized by the Atlanta Police Department.

The incident occurred around 5 a.m. in the tranquil St. Andrews Country Club neighborhood on Orkney Way near E. Carroll Road, sparking confusion and fear among local residents.

Douglas County Sheriff Tim Pounds reported that deputies were called to the scene responding to a burglary alert. According to Sheriff Pounds, the homeowner, acting in self-defense, shot the intruder after he gained entry into the residence. The individual, now identified as Investigator Horton, did not survive the shooting, which investigators have deemed an act of “self-defense.”

Local residents expressed shock at the violent events in their normally peaceful area. Further investigation revealed that Horton, who lived nearby, may have been experiencing a mental health crisis or influenced by narcotics at the time of the incident. Sheriff Pounds indicated that several questions remain unanswered as the investigation proceeds.

The Atlanta Police Department confirmed that Horton lived within the neighborhood and was off-duty at the time of the incident. In their statement Friday, APD officials acknowledged his service with the department, including his assignment to the Fugitive Unit and his recent accolade as “Officer of the Year” at the “Crime is Toast” event.

The unexpected and tragic circumstances surrounding Investigator Horton’s death have left both the Atlanta Police Department and the local community seeking answers as the investigation continues.