Newly obtained surveillance footage and investigative records have raised new questions about an April 2025 shooting in downtown Atlanta that injured a Fulton County sheriff’s deputy, but no criminal charges have been filed against the man who admitted firing the shots.
Conclusion, exposed by atlanta news first Through an investigation published on July 9, 2026, a sequence of events is presented that differs from the public narrative released after the incident.
The deputy chased the man before the shooting began.
according to atlanta news first According to the investigation, the shooting occurred on April 24, 2025, near Forsyth Street and Trinity Avenue, when Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Evans LaFond responded to a report involving a non-domesticated individual accused of making threats.
LaFond was working in plain clothes in an unmarked Honda equipped with concealed emergency lights. Surveillance video shows him driving down the road before exiting the vehicle wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Then he took out his pistol and chased the man.
At the time, Evan Watson was riding as a passenger in a nearby vehicle while his brother was walking in the area. Investigators said Watson saw LaFond pointing a gun but saw no indication he was dealing with any law enforcement officers.
Authorities later determined that LaFond had not activated the vehicle’s lights or siren before leaving the car, and surveillance footage did not capture him identifying himself to police before the shooting.
The investigation found that Watson did not know he was shooting at an officer.
The reason for the pursuit in the first place is established in police reports, Watson’s own statements during interrogation, and atlanta news first Investigation. Reportedly, Deputy LaFond was responding to a call about a suspicious person (described as a non-domestic individual making threats) when he began pursuing Watson’s brother on foot.
Watson later told investigators that someone was harassing her homeless brother, and when she saw LaFond chasing him and pulling a gun, she thought it was an attack, not law enforcement. Only later did he learn through the news that LaFond was a deputy.
Watson admitted to the shooting during a 4+ hour interrogation but was released without charge.
Believing that his brother was facing an armed attacker, Watson pulled out a Glock Model 26 pistol and fired approximately 12 rounds toward LaFond. One bullet hit the deputy in his lower left leg.
The video shows LaFond dropping his handgun and taking cover behind his vehicle. It was only after he was injured that he began shouting, “I’m the police! Police!” Pulling myself to safety. A bystander then helped them put on the police gear and then the vehicle’s siren was activated.
Investigators also found evidence that contradicted LaFond’s statement that he never fired his weapon. Although the deputy denied returning fire, detectives recovered a spent 9 mm shell casing near his vehicle and concluded that he had discharged his firearm.
No charges filed despite admission
Watson and his girlfriend were questioned the next day. Watson admitted to the shooting but told investigators that he only acted when a man pointed a gun at him. He said he did not know the injured man was a sheriff’s deputy until he saw news reports after the incident.
The Atlanta Police Department reviewed surveillance footage and concluded that Watson had no reason to know that LaFond was with law enforcement before opening fire. Investigators closed the case around May 2025 without filing charges against Watson or his girlfriend.
This decision was in contrast to statements made immediately after the shooting. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labatt initially described the attack as an ambush and promised to pursue those responsible. LaFond also received a commendation for his actions in May 2025 and was promoted to sergeant in January 2026.
atlanta news first It was reported that police initially declined to release surveillance footage in response to open records requests, citing security exemptions. The station eventually obtained video and investigative files through persistent reporting and a confidential source, revealing details that had not been publicly disclosed. The deputy recovered from his leg injury, and the case was closed without charges.
