ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Police have identified the man accused of shooting a Gainesville police officer on Thursday night, prompting an hourslong standoff before he was ultimately shot and killed.

At about 10:30 p.m., officers were called to the area of Briarwood Drive and Skyline Drive after a woman said a man with a weapon at her home made her fear for her life.

Gainesville police identified the man as 24-year-old Dakota Levi Simmons, who ran down the street and into another woman’s home to hide from police.

When police responded there, Police Chief Jay Parrish said Simmons shot a Gainesville police officer. That officer has since been released from the hospital.

Another officer returned fire, and Simmons barricaded himself inside a home, police said. Several departments came to help during the six-hour standoff, including the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and SWAT team, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Flowery Branch police.

Police said Simmons fired more shots from inside the home while he was barricaded. Despite attempts to have him surrender, he eventually ran out the front door of the home and shot at officers, who returned fire, according to police.

Simmons was hit and taken to the hospital, where he died.

“This was a serious and very tragic incident. There were several deputies and several police officers that were involved in all three encounters. It’s traumatic to them,” said Chief Parrish. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased. It is not our job as law enforcement officers to take lives. Our job is to protect lives, but this morning, in the early morning hours, our hand was forced.”

Parrish said the officer who was shot was left with only a bruise. He said the bullet hit just below his throat and hit his two-way radio and ballistic vest, which Parrish said saved the officer’s life.

“One inch higher and we’d be having a very different press conference,” said Parrish. “Very thankful to God that he is safe.”

Three other officers went to the hospital as a precaution for shock and high heart rates, but they are expected to be OK.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called to help with the case.

STREAM ANF+ | Gainesville police give update on shooting involving officer:

Parrish said he believes Simmons knew both the woman who called 911 and the woman with the two children in some capacity, but the whole situation left neighbors shaken.

“That’s scary to know that shots were fired in a residential neighborhood in the direction of my home for sure, with my children,” Wesli Libasci said.

Tia Gardner said her daughter heard the gunshots all night.

“She heard a few more over in the morning and she said it was hard for her to go back to sleep,” she said. “This is really scary and this is a very quiet neighborhood.”

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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