‘Investigator of the Year’ broke into a home, where resident shot and killed him: Authorities

Aubree Horton (WAGA).

A break-in suspect who was fatally shot and killed by a homeowner on Friday is reportedly a police officer for the Atlanta Police Department. Aubree Horton, who recently won an Investigator of  the Year award, worked in the Fugitive Unit since 2015, according to Atlanta Fox affiliate WAGA.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and call the shooting self-defense. They’ve yet to settle on an explanation as to why the slain investigator was allegedly at the home that morning, simply describing him as a man “who appeared on video to be experiencing a mental health episode or under the influence of narcotics.”

Deputies, who did not name Horton in their Facebook post, said they were dispatched Friday at approximately 5 a.m. to the 8000 block of Orkney Way in the community of Winston regarding a person being shot. They said Horton tried to break into the front door of the home. They later determined that he lived nearby on the 8000 bock of Rannoch Moor Drive.

“Both of these locations are in the same neighborhood. This individual was able to make his way into the residence and was confronted by the home owner,” they wrote. “The home owner, acting in self-defense, shot this person inside his residence. The shot was fatal and the individual died at the scene. ”

“We are working closely with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to learn more about what occurred as they continue to investigate,” Atlanta police said in a statement obtained by WAGA.

Mere days ago, Horton was among other Atlanta police who received awards for their service.

“On Tuesday, September 24, the Atlanta Police Foundation hosted the 20th Annual Crime is Toast Awards. It was an extraordinary moment for our dedicated officers, civilians, and community members as we celebrated their unwavering commitment to our beloved city,” police wrote in a post.