A Fairburn police officer responding to a mental health call shot a South Fulton man and his two dogs after knocking so forcefully the family’s front door burst open, triggering the animals’ protective response while four children slept inside the home.
Wrong House Response Ends in Gunfire
Shortly after midnight Thursday, Fairburn officers arrived at a Bishop Road residence searching for a woman experiencing a mental health episode. When police pounded on Dustin Lackey’s door with such force it flew open, his two dogs—Zeus, a German shepherd, and Copper, a pit bull—ran outside to investigate. Lackey was reaching for his animals when an officer opened fire, striking both dogs and accidentally shooting Lackey in the ankle. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation now leads the inquiry into the incident.
Home surveillance footage captured the chaotic moments, showing a flashlight beam approaching before three gunshots rang out. Seconds later, audio recorded someone yelling that the dogs don’t bite. Lackey told investigators his family had no knowledge police were on their property when the door suddenly opened. He maintains the dogs were simply protecting their home as trained.
Children at Risk During Shooting
Copper sustained a gunshot wound through his nose with a bullet still lodged in his throat. Zeus took rounds to his chest and leg. Dustin Lackey suffered an ankle wound requiring medical treatment. The family expressed outrage that bullets entered their home, striking an air conditioning unit near where their four children were sleeping. Wife Kelsy Lackey stated those bullets on the ground could have struck her kids instead.
Investigation Underway as Family Recovers
Fairburn police declined to discuss the shooting, citing the active GBI investigation. The department confirmed the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the inquiry’s outcome. The Lackey family launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover mounting medical bills and veterinary expenses for their injured dogs. All three shooting victims have since returned home to recover, though the family questions why officers knocked so aggressively on a door at a residence where the person they sought was merely staying temporarily with relatives.
Prosecute the Cop, Way toooooo Trigger Happy !
he’ll be on paid leave for a couple weeks, and eventually found “within his rights”
Too bad homeowner didn’t shoot back, as within his rights.
cop should be forced to pay all medical bills personally.
Cops need better training. They are scared to death what they may face and training needs to be enhanced so these types of incidents diminish. I can personally understand what they may encounter but they still need to fall on the side of caution instead of overreaction.
Maybe cops are sometimes “trigger happy”. However, if a Pit Bull came charging at me, I would over-react as well. Who in their right mind would have a Pit Bull with children in the house? Before some Pit Bull lover strikes back, Pit Bulls can turn on a dime for any reason. Documented. This is why a lot of insurance companies will not insure homes with a Pit Bull or have sky-high premiums.
I GREW UP WITH PITBULLS MINE HELD MY STEP MOTHER WHO WAS BEATING ME..SHE NEVER BROKE SKINTHEY ARENT JUST KILLERS MINE WAS LOVING UP TO THE DAY SHE PASSED AWAY.SHE WOULD HELP MY DAD TAKE OFF HIS COVERALLS EVERY NIGHT..MY STEP BROTHER WAS MEAN TO HER BUT SHE NEVER TURNED ON HIM. LIKE EVERY ANIMAL THEY ARE WHAT THEY’RE TAUGHT
Idiot comment. Pitbulls are fine.
What did this cop do for the door to swing open with knocking? Kick it?
Of the thousands of incidents cops face, one that is a mistake doesn’t mean they are not well trained.
Morons!
First off if the Pit-bull is an idiot and aggressive look at the owner because its thier fault the dogs that way…. Most of the ones I’ve known have simply been family dogs. and as for cops shooting our dogs, This is way out of control….Honestly I don’t care who you are, if you shoot my dog you’d best prepare for return fire. at my age I just don’t care anymore.
Dogs were doing there job. The cop had no right to forcefully push the door open, letting the dogs out.
this is another incident of cops getting away with knee jerk reactions, those dogs were in their home. as well as the homeowners were in their home. the cop is lucky that the homeowner didn’t fire back. I agree the cop should pay for the vet bills. there needs to be some accountability, other than brushing it under the rug.