Atlanta officer shoots teen outside stadium during game

ATLANTA - Atlanta police are investigating a shooting involving an off-duty officer and a teenager in the parking lot of a stadium where hundreds of fans were watching a high school football game.

The gunfire happened shortly before 11 p.m. Friday at Lakewood Stadium in southeast Atlanta, police said.

A 17-year-old boy is hospitalized after the officer shot him in the arm, authorities said. His condition wasn't available Saturday. Police say he faces several charges, including reckless conduct and carrying a weapon on school property.

The officer wasn't hurt, and no other injuries were reported among fans inside the stadium.

The officer had been working security at the stadium, heard the shots and saw a teen with a gun, WSB reported.

"That encounter escalated into the officer firing one round and striking that individual in the arm," Atlanta police Capt. Paul Guerrucci said.

Police are asking any witnesses to come forward.

Carver and Mays high schools were playing at the time of the shooting. The game was postponed.

Atlanta Public Schools said in a statement that the fourth quarter of the game will be completed later.

Two middle school playoff games which had been scheduled Saturday at Lakewood were also been postponed. Another high school game involving B.E.S.T. Academy and KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, which was to have been played at 4 p.m. Saturday, was moved from Lakewood to Grady Stadium.

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