Shocking footage released Monday shows off-duty Atlanta Police Officer Aubrey Horton in a state of extreme panic, possibly suffering from a “mental health incident,” moments before he was shot while trying to break into a neighbor’s home.
Horton was seen running shirtless down a street in Winston, Georgia, screaming at about 5:08 a.m. on Oct. 4, a video released by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office shows.
The 39-year-old cop, who lived in the area, can be heard shouting “Jesus, save us” and “Help me” before arriving at a neighbor’s front door in the St. Andrews Country Club neighborhood.
Footage released Monday shows off-duty Atlanta Police Officer Aubrey Horton in a state of extreme panic, possibly experiencing a “mental health crisis,” moments before he is shot. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
The off-duty officer is then shown in Ring doorbell footage running at full speed to his neighbor’s front door, still screaming for help. He appears to be trying to open the door by the handle, but is unable to get inside.
Then Horton slammed his shoulder into the door.
The homeowner appears to shout something at Horton from inside the house, and he shouts, “No, kill me,” before throwing himself back inside the door.
Looking exhausted, he sat on the front porch steps, put his hands on his face, and breathed deeply.
“Who are you?!” The neighbor’s voice can be heard screaming from inside the house before calling for his wife.
Horton was seen running shirtless down a street in Winston, Georgia, screaming at approximately 5:08 a.m. on October 4. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
After a brief moment of silence, Horton randomly shouted: “I love you,” before letting out a bone-chilling scream and lying down on the balcony.
The front porch lights of the house come on and the owner’s voice can be heard screaming his wife’s name again.
Horton then jumps to his feet and approaches the door before the video ends.
Horton forced himself into the home when the door opened and knocked the homeowner to the ground, Douglas County Sheriff Tim Bounds said in a statement Monday.
Horton is seen hitting the door shoulder first. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
“Fearing for his life and defending his home, the homeowner fired a single shot from his firearm, fatally wounding Horton inside his home,” Bounds said.
The homeowner was in bed when he woke up to screaming outside, Pounds said.
His wife left for work moments before Horton arrived at the residence.
The homeowner opened the door armed after several attempts to communicate with the off-duty officer and his concern for his wife’s safety.
Horton forced himself into the house when the door opened and knocked the homeowner to the ground. Atlanta Police Department
During the incident, the homeowner’s wife received multiple notifications from the Ring doorbell camera, and after noticing what was happening, called 911.
The Sheriff’s Office said it released edited video footage from the scary incident to provide transparency to the public about what happened. Parts containing sensitive content, such as the sound of the fatal shot that killed Horton, were not included.
“We want to stress that this was a tragic situation where the homeowner acted in defense of his life and home,” Bounds said.
“At this time, we are confident that no charges will be filed against the homeowner.”
The Sheriff’s Office said it released edited video footage from the scary incident to provide transparency to the public about what happened. Fox5Atlanta
The sheriff’s office said the two did not know each other, and there had been no domestic disturbance involving Horton prior to the incident.
Bounds also shared that the department wanted to address several false rumors circulating online that the home was owned by Capt. John Mooney, chief of the Douglas County Criminal Investigation Division.
“These rumors are categorically false,” Pounds wrote in his statement.
“Additionally, there is no truth to the allegation that Officer Horton was involved in a domestic disturbance, or that any member of his family sought refuge in the home. Horton was completely unknown to the homeowner.”
Horton joined the Atlanta Police in November 2015 and was recently assigned to the FPD’s Fugitive Unit.
The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Douglas County Prosecutor’s Office to file a full report on the incident.
A toxicology report is pending but “may take several months to complete.”
“We believe Horton may have been experiencing a mental health episode or under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident,” Bounds added.
Horton joined the Atlanta Police in November 2015 and was recently assigned to the FPD’s Fugitive Unit.
He was named “Detective of the Year” at the ADP Crime Is Toast Awards breakfast on September 24, the department announced on Facebook.
Horton received the honor as a result of a case involving a missing 21-year-old, Leonder Flint, whose remains were discovered in July.
