By Sara Ruberg and Annie Correal
A shooter was apprehended following the fatal shooting of a security guard and the wounding of another individual outside the Honduran Consulate located near Atlanta on Monday afternoon, according to officials.
A suspect was detained at the site of the incident, and authorities have stated they do not believe there are additional risks to the community, reported Emily Heenan, spokesperson for Doraville, Georgia, approximately 16 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Prior to the incident, the assailant attempted to access the consulate equipped with a firearm, which is prohibited, as stated by Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina. He noted that the deceased security guard was of Mexican nationality and employed by a private security agency.
Later on Monday evening, Reina mentioned on social media that authorities had revised their belief regarding the gunman’s nationality from Honduran to Puerto Rican. He indicated that the shooter was associated with a Honduran individual who was finalizing processes at the consulate.
The identity of the suspect has not been publicly disclosed by officials.
Authorities did not specify if they had determined the motive behind the attack. Investigators are confident that the assailant acted independently, explained Heenan.
The Doraville Police Department received reports around 2:30 p.m. regarding gunfire occurring just outside the Consulate General of Honduras, located at 6755 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., which is one of 14 Honduran consulates across the nation. The security guard was pronounced dead at the scene, and another injured individual was transported to a medical facility, according to Heenan.
Witnesses informed Spanish-language media that the guard had utilized pepper spray against the assailant prior to the shooting. They recounted that the gunman discharged his weapon multiple times, hitting the security guard, who nevertheless managed to secure the consulate’s entrance.
In comments on Monday, Reina commended the guard for possibly saving the lives of individuals inside the building.
