A tragic overnight shooting in Rockdale County has left a young mother of two dead. Atlanta News First reports that at approximately 12:45 a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to an emergency at a residence on the 2600 block of Golfview Terrace SE, where they discovered 24-year-old Kyla Cooper suffering from a fatal gunshot wound.
An arrest has been made in connection to the homicide. Arkia Tate has been charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, and the possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Meanwhile, a second individual, Rashad Thompson, was taken into custody on unrelated charges, as sheriff's officials informed. Upon arriving at the scene described by witnesses, screaming and crying filled the air, followed by a car alarm triggered after the shot echoed, explained Kamesha Smith, a neighbor who resides across the street, in an interview with Atlanta News First.
According to DJ, a cousin of the victim who spoke with FOX 5 Atlanta, Kyla had just learned she was expecting a third child and went to her boyfriend's home to share the news. It was there, he says, a confrontation ensued with another woman believed to be her boyfriend's other girlfriend. The dispute rapidly escalated, culminating in Cooper being shot. DJ mentioned ordering a Lyft for Cooper earlier that day, expressing profound sorrow over the loss, saying, “I just talked to her today. I ordered her the Lyft. I feel messed up. I feel hurt,” a sentiment he shared with Atlanta News First.
Officials have not yet confirmed the familial claims regarding Cooper's pregnancy. The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the exact nature of the relationships between the individuals involved and the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Deputy Christine Nesbitt, from the sheriff's office, assured that an update will come after an autopsy report is released. In the meantime, they are calling for anyone with information about the incident to reach out to the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, as indicated by the still-fresh scene being processed by detectives who spent hours collecting evidence and conducting interviews, echoes of the night's horror still reverberating through Golfview Terrace.
