FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Two officers are hurt and a suspect is dead after a shooting along Fulton Industrial Boulevard on Friday, according to police. 

Authorities said an officer saw a “suspicious individual” jaywalking near 4120 Fulton Industrial Boulevard, which is the address of the Budgetel Inn & Suites. 

A South Fulton Police officer responded to assist during a traffic stop when a shootout erupted, leaving the South Fulton Police officer and a Fulton County officer hurt, authorities said. 

According to police, the incident unfolded when Lt. Charles Cook of the South Fulton Police Department was driving along Fulton Industrial Boulevard and saw a Fulton County Police officer conducting a traffic stop. South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows said Lt. Cook pulled over to offer support.

“Immediately after he exited his patrol vehicle, the suspect opened fire on Lt. Cook, striking him at least three times,” Meadows said.

During the exchange of gunfire, both Lt. Cook and the Fulton County officer, identified as Zahir Muid, were shot. Lt. Cook remains in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital. Muid, who joined the Fulton County Police Department in Dec. 2024, sustained minor injuries and was treated and released on Friday afternoon.

The suspect was fatally wounded in the shootout. It remains unclear exactly how the suspect was killed, according to police.

Meadows praised Lt. Cook’s quick actions and bravery, noting his intervention may have saved Officer Muid’s life.

“If Lt. Cook hadn’t been there, he doesn’t know if he would be alive right now, and so, that’s a testament to his dedication,” Meadows said.

Lt. Cook has been with the South Fulton Police Department since its founding in 2018 and previously served with the Fulton County Police Department.

Meanwhile, Fulton County Police Chief Wade Yates said Officer Muid was relatively new to their force, but had come from another jurisdiction and had a lot of experience. 

“Part of our training is tourniquet training, and we issue all of our officers a tourniquet,” Yates said. “We believe that… might’ve saved the South Fulton police officer’s life today… the officer put a tourniquet on him.” 

11Alive SkyTracker flew over the scene, where more than 100 patrol cars responded to the scene and officers were seen blocking the road as they investigated. 

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has now taken over the investigation. 11Alive will update this story as more information becomes available.