New details in South Fulton murder, Tampa shootout
TAMPA, Fla. - Investigators released new details Monday in the murder investigation that ended with the suspect being shot and killed by police in Florida.
According to the South Fulton Police Department, Timothy Wyatt, 41, shot and killed his girlfriend at a home on Keels Lane at around 7:30 Sunday morning. Officers responded to the home to find the woman dead and two of her young sons suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. A third child was not injured, police said.
Paramedics transported the boys to Grady Memorial Hospital and they were later transferred to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Investigators were able to track Wyatt to Tampa where officers spotted his 2017 white Chevrolet Impala around 6 p.m. Sunday. When they tried to pull Wyatt over, police said, he led them on a chase along and tried to carjack a woman before opening fire on police.
"He was located by Tampa Police and he engaged in a gunfight with their officers and with Florida State Patrol and he was shot and killed," said South Fulton Police Detective J. Rittberg. "Law enforcement has to be able to work hand in hand. That's how we're able to identify suspects and get them taken into custody if they do flee."
Five Tampa police officers have been placed on administrative leave as officials review the officer-involved shooting.
"We're very fortunate no innocent people were injured. We're very fortunate no police officers were injured," said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan. "It's a sad outcome, but this is what our cops deal with every single day. There is no routine day of work for them. Any time you stop a car, you never know what you're going to get involved with."
Authorities in the City of South Fulton have not released the name of Wyatt's girlfriend, nor her surviving children.