Informant says officers lied about drug deal that led to elderly woman's death

Friends and family gathered Tuesday for the funeral of Kathryn Johnson. Johnson was shot and killed Nov 21st by Atlanta Police officers trying to serve a warrant at the elderly woman's home. Johnson was 88 years old instead of the 92 which was previously reported.

Since the death of Johnson, her family has been very vocal about the incident and their belief that the whole truth had not been told and depending on who you believe that might just be the case.

Narcotics officers alleged that they received a tip from an informant that drugs were being sold from Johnson's home and it's that information that lead to officers executing 'no knock' warrant.

Atlanta Chief Richard Pennington confirmed Monday that the informant in question now claims that investigators asked him to lie about his role in the alleged drug sale that led to the shooting and death of Johnson.

The informant, who has not been identified, complained to department officials that drug investigators involved in the shooting had come to him asking him to go along with a story that they concocted after the shooting said Pennington.

"The informant said he had no knowledge of going into that house and purchasing drugs," Pennington said. "We don't know if he's telling the truth."

The informant has been placed in protective custody.

The Chief has called for a multi-agency review of the incident. He announced the investigation at a news conference that featured officials from the U.S. attorney's office, the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Fulton district attorney's office.

David Nahmias, the U.S. attorney in Atlanta, said federal agents "come to this investigation with an open mind," but he cautioned that anyone who lies could face federal charges.

"No one should get in the way of the truth," Nahmias said.

According to the AJC, Rev. Markel Hutchins, who has been acting as family spokesperson said the family was very encouraged by the fact that the FBI is now involved in the investigation.

"They had zero confidence before yesterday," Hutchins said. "Now their confidence is increased."

"Finally, the truth is coming out so that her name will not be seen in such a bad light," said family friend Carletta Sutton. "I think that a number of people expressed concern that her memory and her name has been sullied by the allegations that drugs have been sold from her house."

The officers involved have been suspended with pay pending the investigation.