4 teens in custody in shooting death of 28-year-old Georgia sheriff’s deputy

Deputy Nicholas Dixon, 28, was attempting to stop a stolen car in Gainesville, Georgia, when he was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with four suspects between 11 and 11:15 p.m. The stolen car was believed to have been used in several weekend car break-ins and burglaries, officials said.

Update 9:15 p.m. EDT July 8: All four teenage suspects wanted in connection with the shooting of Hall County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Dixon, including the accused shooter, Hector Garcia, are in custody, WSB-TV reported Monday evening.

The three other suspects have been identified as: 
Brayan Omar Cruz, 17
London Clements, 17
Eric Edgardo Velazque, 17

Garcia, who was wounded in the torso and is hospitalized, is facing a felony murder charge in the case, Sheriff Gerald Crouch said at a press conference Monday.

Original report: According to officials, the deputy was attempting to stop a stolen car when he was shot by one of the suspects in the area of Jesse Jewell Parkway and Highland Avenue between 11 and 11:15 p.m. The stolen car was believed to have been used in several weekend car break-ins and burglaries, officials said.

The deputy was identified as Nicholas Dixon, who was a husband and father. He had been with the department for three years.

Sheriff's department officials said Dixon was father to a 9-year-old son and a 4-month-old daughter.

One of the suspects, identified as Hector Garcia and believed to be the shooter, was hit by gunfire and taken to the medical center for treatment, authorities said. His condition was not immediately known. Including the accused shooter, four people were in custody in connection with the case by Monday afternoon.

Deputies were actively searching Monday for the remaining suspects, who are considered armed and dangerous. The Gainesville Police Department, Georgia State Patrol and the Gwinnett County Police Department are assisting in the search.

No suspect descriptions were immediately available. Anyone with information on the case was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (770) 533-7693.

Officials with the Sheriff's Office said persons of interest and "other parties" were being interviewed Monday morning.

In the wake of the shooting, Gov. Brian Kept said he and his family are praying for Hall County.

A spokesperson from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said this shooting is the 42nd officer-involved shooting that the GBI has been called to assist with this year.