Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Parolee Fires Shots at Police Officers, Gets Arrested

OLD FOURTH WARD — Atlanta police arrested a 27-year-old Decatur man they say is suspected of shooting at them in the parking lot of the Irwin Street Market on Wednesday.

Derrick Lamar Byron, who was out on parole for voluntary manslaughter, is charged with:
  • Possession of a firearm as a convicted felon
  • Use of a firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of a crime
  • Aggravated assault (two charges)
  • Reckless conduct
  • Violating parole

The officers, who were in the vehicles on the Irwin Street side of the lot, facing Sampson Street, found themselves being fired upon. The alleged gunman, Byron, was behind the bushes of an apartment complex across the street.

Neither officer was injured in the incident, which occurred just before 3 p.m. and they gave chase to the suspect gunman as he fled. They caught him, APD Sgt. Gregory Lyon said.

Byron's prior arrests include felony murder, selling cocaine, voluntary manslaughter and battery.

He was most recently in Hancock State Prison for the voluntary manslaughter conviction.

That 20-year-sentence began Aug. 19, 2004, but he was paroled June 19, 2012.

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