New Video Shows Why Man Who Shot Atlanta Deputy Was Never Charged

Newly obtained surveillance footage and investigative records raised fresh questions about an April 2025 shooting in downtown Atlanta that left a Fulton County sheriff's deputy wounded but resulted in no criminal charges against the man who admitted firing the shots.

The findings, uncovered by Atlanta News First through an investigation published on July 9, 2026, present a sequence of events that differs from the public narrative released in the aftermath of the incident.

Deputy Pursued Man Before Gunfire Broke Out

According to the Atlanta News First investigation, the shooting happened on April 24, 2025, near Forsyth Street and Trinity Avenue after Fulton County Sheriff's Deputy Evens Lafond responded to a report involving an unhoused man accused of making threats.

Lafond was working a plainclothes assignment in an unmarked Honda equipped with concealed emergency lights. Surveillance video shows him driving onto a curb before getting out of the vehicle wearing jeans and a T-shirt. He then drew his handgun and chased the man.

At that moment, Ivan Watson was riding as a passenger in a nearby vehicle while his brother was walking in the area. Investigators said Watson saw Lafond pointing a gun but had no indication he was dealing with a law enforcement officer.

Authorities later determined Lafond had not activated the vehicle's lights or siren before leaving the car, and the surveillance footage did not capture him identifying himself as police before the exchange of gunfire.

Investigation Found Watson Did Not Know He Was Shooting at an Officer

What led to the pursuit in the first place has been established in police reports, Watson's own statements during interrogation, and the Atlanta News First investigation. Reportedly, Deputy Lafond was responding to a call about a suspicious person (described as an unhoused man making threats) when he ended up pursuing Watson's brother on foot.

Watson later told investigators someone had been antagonizing his unhoused brother, and when he saw Lafond chasing him and pulling a gun, he thought it was an attack, not law enforcement. He only learned Lafond was a deputy afterward via the news.

Watson admitted to the shooting during a 4+ hour interrogation but was released without charges.

Believing his brother was facing an armed attacker, Watson pulled out a Glock Model 26 pistol and fired about 12 rounds toward Lafond. One bullet struck the deputy in his lower left leg.

The video shows Lafond dropping his handgun and taking cover behind his vehicle. Only after he was wounded did he begin shouting, "I'm the police! Police!" while dragging himself to safety. A bystander then assisted him in putting on police gear, and the vehicle's siren was activated afterward.

Investigators also found evidence that contradicted Lafond's statement that he never fired his weapon. Although the deputy denied returning fire, detectives recovered a spent 9mm shell casing near his vehicle and concluded he had discharged his firearm.

No Charges Filed Despite Admission

Watson and his girlfriend were questioned the following day. Watson admitted firing the shots but told investigators he acted only after a man pointed a gun at him. He said he did not learn the wounded man was a sheriff's deputy until he saw news reports after the incident.

The Atlanta Police Department reviewed surveillance footage and concluded Watson had no reason to know Lafond was law enforcement before opening fire. Investigators closed the case around May 2025 without filing charges against either Watson or his girlfriend.

The decision contrasted with statements made immediately after the shooting. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat initially described the attack as an ambush and pledged to pursue those responsible. Lafond even got a commendation for his actions in May 2025 and was promoted to sergeant in January 2026.

Atlanta News First reported that police initially declined to release the surveillance footage, citing security exemptions in response to open records requests. The station ultimately obtained the video and investigative files through persistent reporting and a confidential source, revealing details that had not been disclosed publicly. The deputy recovered from his leg injury, and the case remains closed with no charges filed.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 9:53 AM.