Man accused of shooting police officer during traffic stop killed in Georgia after two-state manhunt
A man who shot a Tennessee police officer during a traffic stop Sunday was killed in Georgia after a multi-agency manhunt across both states, authorities said.
The fugitive, 43-year-old Christopher Kitts, fired multiple rounds while being chased early Monday morning, but he was ultimately shot and killed in Rossville, near the border with Tennessee, according to police.
The manhunt began just before 2 p.m. Sunday in Chattanooga, where the suspect was pulled over for a suspected traffic violation. Police said Kitts got out of his red Dodge Charger and fired several shots at the patrol car while East Ridge Cpl. Terry Prescott was still inside.
The shooter then jumped back into his vehicle and fled the scene, authorities said.
The officer was taken to a hospital in stable condition.
Kitts eventually abandoned his car in Rossville and fled on foot, according to police. He was found after an extensive air and ground search in the area.
“The East Ridge Police Department is thankful for the assistance of the local, state, and federal officers as well as the outpouring of support from the community,” the agency said in a statement. “Please keep Corporal Prescott and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they recover from this incident.”
More details about the incident were expected to be released Monday.
