Gunfire Exchange Between Law Enforcement and Suspect in Atlanta Leaves One Officer Seriously Injured and Another Grazed, Suspect Rashan Jarvis Cofield Pronounced Dead at the Scene
Atlanta, GA (Fulton County) — April 18, 2025
A Thursday morning encounter between law enforcement and an armed suspect turned violent in Atlanta, leaving one man dead and two Fulton County police officers injured. Authorities have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rashan Jarvis Cofield, an Atlanta resident.
The incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. near 4120 Fulton Industrial Boulevard Southwest, in the parking lot of the Budgetel Inn and Suites. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the confrontation began when officers attempted to speak with Cofield about an alleged jaywalking offense. What began as a routine stop quickly escalated into a deadly shootout.
Authorities say Cofield opened fire on officers shortly after being approached, striking one officer. Another officer was reportedly grazed. Despite the chaos, fellow officers responded immediately, applying a tourniquet at the scene to the more seriously injured officer to control bleeding. Both officers were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition.
Cofield was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot during the exchange of gunfire. The GBI confirmed a “Signal 48” — the law enforcement radio code for a deceased person — shortly after the suspect was subdued.
A large police presence, including officers from multiple jurisdictions, quickly secured the area. Investigators from the GBI were called in to conduct an independent review of the incident, a standard procedure in all officer-involved shootings in Georgia.
As the investigation continues, the motive behind Cofield’s actions remains unclear. Officials have not released further information about Cofield’s criminal history, if any, or whether he was under any active warrants at the time of the incident.
Community members in the area expressed both concern and gratitude that more lives weren’t lost during the harrowing exchange. Local leaders and officials urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed while offering thoughts and prayers to the injured officers and their families.
The Fulton County Police Department and GBI are expected to release additional updates in the coming days. Anyone with information or video footage related to the incident is urged to contact investigators.
This marks yet another troubling incident in a string of recent gun-related altercations involving law enforcement in Georgia, raising renewed calls for community engagement, officer safety measures, and mental health awareness.