Georgia officer kills shoplifter who fired on cops on Christmas Eve, police say

A suspected shoplifter is dead after he shot at police officers at a Walmart in DeKalb County, Georgia, on Christmas Eve, authorities report. 

A Walmart Loss Prevention Officer made contact with a suspected shoplifter who placed items in a large backpack and attempted to leave without paying around 1:00 pm during one of the busiest shopping days of the year, according to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) press release.

Exiting the store, the man was confronted by a DeKalb County Police Department officer who was working part-time at the Walmart and another DeKalb officer. He ran back inside the store as the two police officers and the Walmart officer followed. 

The man then "drew a handgun and fired at the police officers and loss prevention officer," the GBI stated. One officer attempted to tase the suspect, who ran outside of the store again holding a gun. The on-duty DeKalb officer shot the man, killing him on the scene, authorities said.

No officers were physically injured. 

The GBI is investigating the incident at the request of the DeKalb County Police Department and has not released the identity of the suspect.

Crime has been increasing over the past several years in DeKalb, as crime rates are skyrocketing across the nation.