A tragic incident unfolded in Atlanta's Little Five Points neighborhood Monday evening, as a police chase ended with the death of 19-year-old Cooper Schoenke. The victim was confirmed dead at the scene by the Fulton County medical examiner, following a collision at the intersection of Moreland and McLendon Avenues around 7:51 p.m. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) had attempted to pull over Faduma Mohamed for speeding and erratic driving on I-20 East, which led to a pursuit when Mohamed failed to comply.
Mohamed, 23, from Stone Mountain, has been identified as the driver of the fleeing vehicle. She was later taken into custody and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. According to a FOX 5 Atlanta interview, the suspect sped north along Moreland Avenue before allegedly running a red light and crashing into Schoenke's vehicle. This impact sent Schoenke's car nearly a block from where the initial collision took place.
The list of charges against Mohamed are extensive and include murder, felony fleeing, reckless driving, speeding, improper lane change, failure to obey a traffic control device, first-degree vehicular homicide, and possession of a Schedule I narcotic. The aftermath of the crash left the busy intersection cluttered with debris, glass, and clothing, impeding traffic for hours as authorities worked to clear the scene.
Amidst the chaos, local business owner Patrice Hull bore witness to the harrowing event. The owner of "Stuff We Wanna Say," Hull's security camera managed to capture the collision. She shared with Atlanta News First her immediate reaction, saying, "It was just heartbreaking," and lamented the unwelcome familiarity with dangerous traffic conditions in the area, adding, "it highlights the big problems people face moving through this popular area." Melanie Greene, a Little Five Points resident, echoed concerns about road safety, pointing out, "It's crazy around here. Nobody ever uses blinkers. They're always in and out, weaving through traffic."
The tragedy has deeply affected Drew Charter School, where Schoenke was a former student. "It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of one of our former students," a representative of the school said in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.
