Accused Gunman Killed, 2 Officers Injured In Fulton Co. Police Shooting

ATLANTA, GA — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect who recently died in a police shooting that injured two officers in South Fulton.

The GBI said Rashan Jarvis Cofield, 29, opened fire on officers from South Fulton Police and Fulton County Police around 11:45 a.m. Friday at Fulton Industrial Boulevard.

A Fulton County officer was responding to a suspicious call at the time, the local police department said, identifying the officer.

When the officer first approached Cofield, the GBI said he was standing on a median in the middle of Fulton Industrial. Then, the South Fulton officer arrived for assistance.

Officers determined an active warrant had been taken out against Cofield, and as they tried to arrest him, the GBI said Cofield ignored commands and reached into his pocket.

He was then accused of pulling out a pistol and shooting at the officers while running.

The GBI said one of the officers who was shot had fallen while the second officer chased the man, returning fire. The second officer was also shot in the exchange of gunfire, the GBI said.

Fulton County Police identified the second officer as one of their own, saying he returned to the South Fulton officer to perform life-saving measures after being shot himself.

"(The officer) joined the Fulton County Police Department on Dec. 4, 2024. He was treated and released from Grady Hospital this afternoon. We are extremely proud of (the officer's) actions today as he applied his training to aid a fellow law enforcement officer," police said in a Facebook post published Friday.

Both officers were treated at a local hospital, the GBI said. The updated condition of the South Fulton officer was not immediately known, though Gov. Brian Kemp previously said the officer was in critical condition.

Cofield, who suffered a gunshot wound, was pronounced dead at the scene, the GBI said.

It was not clear what the active warrant was issued for, but 11Alive reported Cofield had been placed on a five-year probation that prohibited him from using a gun during the probationary terms in 2024 in Fulton County.

Once the GBI's case file is completed, it will be given to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review.

The fatal shooting came after South Fulton Capt. Helio Garcia was killed Tuesday night in a crash while on duty around 11:15 p.m. at Flat Shoals Road near Hiddenbrook Trail. The Georgia State Patrol said a black 2016 Infinity QX70 crossed lanes and hit Garcia's patrol car head-on.

Garcia died of his injuries at Grady Memorial Hospital, and the 31-year-old driver of the Infiniti was hospitalized in serious condition, the GSP said.

A funeral for Garcia was planned for Monday, South Fulton Police said.

"In just a matter of days, this lone police department has demonstrated multiple times that law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve their fellow Georgians," Kemp said in a statement. "All those who wear a badge and uniform deserve our unfailing gratitude and prayers. We will continue to pray for the victims and families of these separate violent incidents in the days and weeks ahead, and ask that God protect all law enforcement throughout the state and nation."