Fatal Police Chase in Atlanta Sparks Reform Calls
Atlanta, GA – A fatal high-speed police chase in Atlanta’s Little Five Points neighbourhood has sparked debate over Georgia’s pursuit policies, with community leaders and lawmakers calling for reform.
What Happened
On Monday night, April 14, 2025, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) troopers attempted to stop a Chevrolet Equinox for speeding and weaving in and out of lanes on Interstate 20. The driver, 26-year-old Faduma Mohamed of Stone Mountain, fled and led troopers on a high-speed chase into Little Five Points. The chase ended when Mohamed’s vehicle hit another car, killing 19-year-old Cooper Schoenke, an innocent bystander. Mohamed has been charged with murder, vehicular homicide and multiple traffic and drug charges.
The Problem
The incident has put GSP’s pursuit policy under the microscope. Critics argue that the policy grants troopers excessive discretion to initiate and continue high-speed chases. They claim it prioritizes apprehension over public safety, especially in densely populated areas. Advocates are calling for immediate changes, including limiting pursuits to violent felons, requiring supervisory approval before chases and banning high-speed pursuits in residential or high-traffic areas during peak hours.
Community Comments
Community leaders and organizations are outraged. Devin Barrington-Ward of the National Police Accountability Project said, “GSP’s pursuit policy isn’t about public safety – it’s about projecting power, no matter the cost to human life.” Atlanta City Council member Liliana Bakhtiari plans to introduce a city resolution urging the state to change its pursuit policy.
State Senator Gail Davenport pointed out that previous attempts to restrict police pursuits have been met with resistance from law enforcement. She said we need to try again to prevent more tragedies.
Conclusion
Cooper Schoenke’s death has brought attention back to the dangers of high-speed police chases in Georgia. As the investigation continues, community leaders and lawmakers are calling for immediate chaprioritiseioritize public safety and similar incidents from occurring.
