Behind the Investigation with Atlanta News First

A federal appeals court has ruled police can shoot hostages — even intentionally — if they fear for their lives or to stop a fleeing felon.

The case is more than just a legal footnote to Don Davis. The Georgia truck driver was shot nine times by troopers and deputies who were trying to stop a murder suspect holding Davis hostage in his truck.

While the shooting occurred in 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court just this week let stand a federal court ruling that police owe the hostage nothing for his medical bills or the lasting effects of the officer-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Read the full story here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/05/01/can-police-intentionally-shoot-hostages-georgia-yes/

A single gunshot brought the busiest airport in the world to a standstill.

It was Thanksgiving week 2021 when convicted felon, Kenny Wells, reached into his bag while a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer was checking it for weapons at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Wells grabbed the Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun, pulling the trigger in what by all accounts was an accidental discharge.

The gunshot caused a panic.

Wells immediately ran from the secure side of the checkpoint into the airport toward the T concourse while holding the gun, but then turned around and exited through the South Terminal. He blended in with passengers running out of the airport, according to never-before-seen airport surveillance video obtained by Atlanta News First Investigates.

Read the full story here: 

The officers with the Special Investigations Section of the Roswell Police Department were clearing what they believed to be vacant apartments. A broken window covered with plywood made them suspect this apartment was occupied by squatters.

But they immediately had their doubts after the officer with the ballistic shield entered.

Read the full story here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/04/17/no-knock-no-warrant-roswell-police-raid-wrong-apartment/

That driver in front of you with their headlights off probably doesn’t know why you’re flashing your high beams.

Or you could be the one driving without your lights on, with no visual cue that you’re piloting a phantom vehicle.

Atlanta News First Investigates noticed a dangerous new trend: more and more vehicles on the road with their headlights or tail lights off. We documented multiple examples just about every night.

But why is this happening and why now?

Read the full story here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/04/01/phantom-vehicles-leaving-drivers-dark/

Born in Bainbridge, Georgia, Cloud Kirbo was a perfectly healthy baby. Or so his parents thought after his newborn screening did not detect anything abnormal.

“There weren’t any signs until right before his third birthday, where it became very bad to where he could hardly walk,” said his father, Carlyle Kirbo.

That’s when Carlyle and Sloane Kirbo took their son to a hospital where they said he was tested for multiple diseases before they finally got some answers.

Read the full story here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/03/28/newborn-testing-childs-life-should-not-be-determined-by-zip-code/

Buyer’s note: make sure your appliance deliverers are qualified installers.

Read the full story here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/09/26/stove-refrigerator-delivery-ends-up-911-call/

A new report released by the federal government strongly urges law enforcement agencies to enact policies to reduce high-speed chases in their communities.

The centerpiece of the report’s recommendations, published by the U.S. Department of Justice, suggests pursuits should only take place when an officer is aware a violent crime has been committed or when the suspect poses an imminent threat to commit another violent crime, not the danger created from the suspect’s driving as they flee from police.

Read the full story here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/09/21/new-report-urges-police-reduce-high-speed-chases/

Danyel Smith is serving a life sentence for murdering his infant son. He maintains his innocence, and recently turned down an effort to be released from prison.

Read the full report here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/09/19/hes-prison-murder-his-infant-son-now-theres-deal/

 The United States had 3.5 million residents who identify as Middle Eastern or North African, Venezuelans were the fastest-growing Hispanic group last decade and Chinese and Asian Indians were the two largest Asian groups, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The most detailed race and ethnicity data to date from the 2020 census was released Thursday more than three years after the once-a-decade head count, which determines political power, the distribution of $2.8 trillion in annual federal funding and holds up a mirror to how the U.S. has changed in a decade. The delay was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of a new method to protect the confidentiality of participants.

The Census Bureau says the 2020 census provided more details on the nation’s racial and ethnic groups than ever before, offering counts for about 1,550 racial, ethnic and tribal groups, although some tables aren’t available at smaller geographies for some groups because of the new confidentiality methods.

Metro Atlanta school police are often outgunned when responding to school shootings. Chief Investigative Reporter Brendan Keefe takes you Behind the Investigation.

Read his full report here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/08/08/outgunned-rifle-qualified-school-police-officers-vary-by-district/