Atlanta rookie cop shot dies of wounds

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ATLANTA, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- A rookie cop from Georgia shot twice in the head while responding to a motel room domestic dispute has succumbed to his wounds, police said.

Clayton County police officer Sean Clayton, 24, died at 5:16 a.m. Tuesday after undergoing emergency surgery to try to save his life, Clayton police Lt. Chris Windley told The Atlanta Journa-Constitution.

"Devastated, its very devastating," Clayton Police Chief Gregory Porter said. "You never want to hear what I heard today."

Clayton had joined the force just four months prior.

Clayton and another officer were called to a Motel 6 at 2 p.m. Monday for report of a domestic in progress, police said. While attempting to take the couple into custody, the male suspect broke free and began to run. As police gave chase, the suspect began firing, striking Clayton. Other police at the scene by then returned fire, killing the man.

A horde of police escorted the ambulance rushing to a nearby hospital and Clayton survived the initial surgery but died of complications Tuesday morning, the report said.