GBI investigates active shooter in Dalton

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) — Dalton police responded to an active shooting incident early this morning. Now, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is involved.

Police officers responded to an early morning 911 call where, according to a press release, the caller was making erratic statements.

The officers were dispatched to 818 Shugart Road for a welfare check of the initial caller.

Bruce Frazier is the Director of Communications for the City of Dalton.

“When our officers arrived, a suspect immediately started shooting at them before they could even get out of their car,” Frazier said. “So, our officers backed out, they set up a perimeter, the suspect ran into the woods behind the apartment building and when our officers contacted him out there, he apparently shot himself.”

The press release also says more shots were fired in the direction of the officers after the suspect fled into the woods.

The shooter was airlifted to a local hospital and is being treated by emergency medical personnel.

Surrounding streets were briefly closed for public safety during the incident.

Frazier says he is unsure if the suspect is the one who initially placed the call.

Currently, the suspect is alive and in custody.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the case, and no more information is known at this time.