ATLANTA -- Authorities say an Atlanta police officer shot and killed a suspect they say was trying to break into cars.
Police say the officer is recovering from minor injuries after a Thursday night altercation with the suspect in the Inman Park neighborhood.
Atlanta police Officer John Chafee tells CBS Atlanta that the officer responded to a report of a man breaking into cars in a parking lot behind a building on North Highland Avenue shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Police say the officer confronted the suspect and a struggle quickly escalated before the officer opened fire. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chafee said the officer has been placed on routine leave pending an investigation.
Associated Press