Man Indicted In Powder Springs Roadway Shooting

COBB COUNTY, GA — A man has been indicted in connection with an April shooting on a Powder Springs road, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Georgia.

Rico Laprince Southall has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt Erskine, Southall allegedly targeted a member of his family as the victim drove through Powder Springs on April 1. Charges say Southall "pursued the victim's car through a residential area and fired multiple rounds at her vehicle from a semi-automatic pistol equipped with a high-capacity magazine."

Several rounds hit the passenger side of the victim's car, with at least one round hitting an unoccupied infant safety seat, according to a news release. One of the rounds also hit another car within the vicinity.

“A key factor in reducing gun violence is to remove firearms from the hands of individuals prohibited from possessing them,” Erskine said in the news release. “We will pursue those who illegally possess firearms and undermine the safety of our community through continued collaboration with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners.”

Cobb County police responded to the scene and say they saw Southall leaving the area with his girlfriend and child. The responding officers arrested Southall and found a semi-automatic pistol, as well as a revolver, according to police. Officers said both guns had been reported stolen.

“The Cobb County Police Department continues to proudly coordinate investigations across jurisdictional boundaries in order to ensure justice is served for all victims. Law enforcement agencies must continue to share information in cases like this in order to maintain the safety of all those living and working within our communities,” Cobb County Police Chief Tim Cox said in the release.

Southall was arraigned July 30 and detained pending trial. An indictment only contains charges. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which "focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct," according to the release.