In a shocking turn of events, off-duty Atlanta officer Aubree Horton was shot and killed early Friday morning in Winston, Georgia, while allegedly trying to break into a neighbor’s house. Horton, who had been honored as “Investigator of the Year” at a recent police department event, confronted the homeowner shortly after entering the property around 5 a.m.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of an attempted burglary and found Horton had been shot by the homeowner in self-defense. Capt. John Mauney confirmed that the homeowner produced a firearm to protect himself during the encounter.
Authorities are investigating the incident, with reports indicating that Horton may have been under the influence of drugs or experiencing a mental health episode at the time.
Neighbors expressed their astonishment, stating that such an incident is out of character for their community. “I can promise you, this ain’t what you see out here,” said one local resident.
Horton had been a member of the Atlanta Police Department since November 2015 and was recognized for his significant contributions to law enforcement, particularly in a high-profile missing person case. His efforts helped secure three arrests in connection with the case of Leondre Flynt, whose remains were found earlier this year.
The community is mourning the loss of a dedicated officer whose commitment to justice and public safety had made a lasting impact.
