A confrontation in a Cobb County parking lot outside a Taco Mac restaurant escalated when a man, who had a warrant for a probation violation on an aggravated assault charge, accidentally shot himself during a chase with police late Wednesday night. According to WSB-TV, the incident occurred just before midnight when officers addressed a parking violation. The man responded by fleeing, resulting in a brief pursuit.
Investigators from the Cobb County Police Department's Violent Crime Bureau, already on the scene, gave chase as the suspect fled with his firearm. In the ensuing altercation, "the fire accidentally discharged, striking the suspect," said Arron Wilson of the Cobb County Police Department, in a statement obtained by WSB-TV. The suspect was taken to a hospital with a non-fatal head wound and is expected to face jail time upon recovery.
Officials emphasized that no officers discharged their weapons during the altercation. The suspect's gun went off while he was being detained in the 3100 block of Cobb Parkway's parking garage, after a chase that began over the parking infraction, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The suspect had been handling his gun while attempting to escape on foot, which led to the accidental discharge.
Additional details emerged from a witness who observed the drama unfold. This individual, preferring to remain anonymous, suggested that a man and woman were inside a black Mercedes SUV before the gunshot rang out, according to the investigation focused around the vehicle as detailed in a FOX 5 Atlanta report. Moreover, the same Taco Mac location has had its share of violence in the past, including a deadly shooting that took place in 2023 beneath the Main Event, a family entertainment center above the restaurant.
The Cobb County Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident, and at this time the reasons for the initial attempted arrest have not been disclosed. The suspect's identity remains unreleased pending the ongoing investigation.
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