SMYRNA, Ga. — Nathan Jenkins' family confirmed he was the man shot and killed in an officer-involved shooting in Cobb County.
Spokespersons for Cobb County Police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations said Friday, shortly before 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the Walgreens on Cobb Parkway in Smyrna. Nathan is alleged to have had outstanding warrants. Police attempted to make contact with Jenkins. Nathan was accused of being armed with a handgun. He was shot and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Loved ones gathered at the Walgreens Saturday night to remember him at a vigil.
Darlland Jackson, Nathans's father, said he got a disturbing call from his son shortly before he was shot.
"He was in a little trouble. Come see him," Jackson said.
So, he hopped in the car and drove to the pharmacy.
"I'm on my way. Daddy's coming," was the last thing Jackson said he said to his son.
When Jackson arrived, he said he saw a large police presence.
"I heard some pops—snaps, crackles, and pops, but I thought it was coming from the bar over there," Jackson said. "I didn't realize that it was the gunshots inside. As I came to try to walk inside, they pushed me back out. They said somebody got killed inside. 'Who was it?' I saw all the witnesses come out, and my son didn't come out."
Nathan's family said he leaves behind five kids and over 10 siblings. Edward Jenkins said he was Nathan's brother.
"I've got to relay the message to them that the police shot [their] daddy and killed them," Edward said. "I don't think they're going to take that too well."
Edward said Nathan frequented this area because he loved spending time at a bar that's walking distance from Walgreens. Witnesses told Edward his brother's hands were up before he was shot. Edward believes his brother didn't deserve this.
"If I'm like this and I say I got a gun on me, that doesn't mean shoot me. I'm letting you guys know I have a weapon on me," Edward said. "This is how he was when they shot him. That is uncalled for—an unjustified shooting."
Jackson has cell phone video of the moments after his son was shot. He said he believed he deserved more medical attention. He now waits for answers.
"I'm hearing a lot of different stories, but I can't say anything or know anything until the camera footage from Walgreens gets shown," Jackson said.
Walgreens denied 11Alive's request for surveillance footage and deferred all questions to the police.