Aubree Horton Atlanta off duty police officer and investigator of the year shot dead in attempted home burglary as cop is suspected of having had mental breakdown or been on narcotics.
An off duty Atlanta police officer and 2024 ‘investigator of the year’ was shot and killed outside a Douglas County home in an apparent early-morning break-in attempt.
Aubree Clay Horton, 32, according to the Atlanta Police Department, who the detective worked for, is alleged have attempted to ‘break in’ into the residence circa 5am Friday at a residence along Orkney Way near E. Carroll Road in the Andrews Country Club neighborhood.
According to Douglas County Sheriff Tim Pounds, deputies responded to a burglary call.
Suspected mental health episode or narcotics
Deputies say the officer entered the home with the homeowner in turn opening fire, fatally shooting him. Investigators are calling the shooting ‘self-defense.’
‘On an attempted burglary, understanding, at this time, that a person attempted to gain entry into the residence behind,’ the sheriff said. ‘When he gained entrance, the homeowner produced a firearm in self-defense and shot the individual. At this time, the individual is deceased.’
Officer Aubree Horton’s shooting death has left neighbors and homeowners stunned.
“I’ve lived here for five years, and I can promise you, this ain’t what you see out here,” resident Milton Johnston told FOX5.
Police said Horton lived in the neighborhood, about half a mile walk away and according to reviewed surveillance video may have been having a mental health episode or was under the influence of narcotics.
‘Well, we believed the burglar lived here in the neighborhood here, yes,’ the sheriff said. ‘This is an active investigation. There are a lot of things we are trying to figure out and come up with.’
Investigator of the Year
In a release, the police stated, ‘Horton joined the Atlanta Police Department in November 2015 and was most recently assigned to APD’s Fugitive Unit. We are working closely with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to learn more about what occurred as they investigate the incident.’
Of note, Investigator Horton was honored as ‘Officer of the Year’ at last month’s ‘Crime is Toast’ breakfast on Sept. 24.
At the Sept. 24 awards ceremony, Horton was recognized for his work in connection with last year’s disappearance and death of a Gwinnett County man.
‘I felt that family deserved justice,’ Horton said in a video presentation during the awards ceremony according to AJC.
‘You got to continue to pound sand, turn things over and you’re looking for that one break, that’s all you’re looking for, is that one break and then you got to jump on it,’ Horton said about his investigations.
Horton’s current and former colleagues say they are heartbroken over his death, WSB-TV reported. One described him as a loving father who was proud to wear his badge.
