Cooper Schoenke, 19, Killed in High-Speed Police Pursuit in Atlanta’s Little Five Points; Fleeing Driver Faduma Mohamed Now Faces Murder Charges as Tragedy Reignites Debate Over Georgia State Patrol Chase Policies
It was a warm spring evening in Atlanta’s Little Five Points—a neighborhood known for its creative energy, vibrant murals, and bustling street corners. On April 14, 2025, 19-year-old Cooper Schoenke had just left a local coffee shop, likely unaware that his life would be tragically and abruptly ended in a matter of minutes.
At 6:27 p.m., a Georgia State Patrol (GSP) officer initiated a high-speed pursuit of a black Dodge Charger driven by 24-year-old Faduma Mohamed. According to preliminary reports, the vehicle had been traveling at nearly 90 mph in a 45-mph zone and weaving dangerously through traffic near the I-20/I-75 interchange. Despite clear risks to public safety, the trooper engaged in a chase that barreled into one of Atlanta’s busiest pedestrian corridors.
As Mohamed attempted to evade law enforcement, she sped into the intersection of Moreland and Euclid Avenue—just blocks from the popular Junkman’s Daughter store. It was there that she struck Cooper Schoenke’s white Honda Civic as he legally crossed through a green light.
Schoenke was pronounced dead at the scene by Grady EMS responders. Witnesses described a chaotic aftermath: “It sounded like a bomb went off,” said Jacob Martinez, a local street performer who had been nearby. “People were screaming. I saw the white car spin out and hit a pole—it was terrifying.”
The crash did not end there. Mohamed’s Charger collided with two parked vehicles and injured another pedestrian, who has since been identified as 31-year-old Ava Green. Green suffered a fractured arm and a concussion but is expected to recover.
The Victim: Remembering Cooper Schoenke
Cooper Schoenke was a student at Georgia State University, majoring in graphic design. A native of Decatur, Cooper had a passion for music, visual storytelling, and skateboarding. Friends describe him as “gentle-hearted, creative, and endlessly supportive.”
“He had this way of making you feel seen,” said longtime friend Jamal Harris. “He wasn’t just talented—he was kind. And he never missed a birthday.”
Schoenke’s parents, Laura and Michael Schoenke, have declined public interviews for now but released a statement through their family attorney: “Cooper was our light. Our world will never be the same without him. We are devastated, and we ask for privacy as we grieve this unimaginable loss.”
The Suspect: Who is Faduma Mohamed?
Faduma Mohamed, 24, has a prior record involving misdemeanor traffic violations but no previous felonies. According to the arrest affidavit, she was not under the influence at the time of the crash, though police found open containers and a suspended license.
Mohamed is now facing multiple felony charges:
- Felony murder
- First-degree vehicular homicide
- Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer
- Reckless driving
- Driving on a suspended license
At her first court appearance, Mohamed appeared disoriented and cried throughout the hearing. She was denied bond and is currently being held at Fulton County Jail.
Public defenders have indicated they will request a psychological evaluation, citing previous mental health struggles.
A Pattern of Tragedy: The Numbers Behind Police Pursuits in Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently published a disturbing report on the Georgia State Patrol’s pursuit policies. Between 2019 and 2023, GSP troopers engaged in over 6,700 high-speed chases. These resulted in:
- 3,400+ crashes
- 1,900+ injuries
- 63 deaths
Shockingly, more than half of those killed were bystanders or passengers—not the suspects themselves.
Dr. Marcy Wallace, a criminology professor at Emory University, weighed in: “What we’re seeing is not just poor judgment in the moment—it’s a systemic failure. High-speed chases in urban areas should be an absolute last resort.”
Atlanta’s own policies allow troopers discretion in deciding whether to initiate or continue a pursuit, but critics say this leads to inconsistent decision-making.
Family Demands Accountability and Policy Reform
On April 18, four days after the incident, the Schoenke family held a candlelight vigil in Little Five Points. Hundreds of mourners gathered—many of them strangers—to pay tribute to Cooper and call for change.
“He’s not just another statistic,” said Rev. Angela Coleman, who spoke at the vigil. “This young man had dreams. He had a future. And it was taken from him because someone thought catching a speeder was worth risking lives.”
Laura Schoenke spoke briefly to the crowd: “I never want another mother to feel what I feel. Something has to change.”
The family has since partnered with Justice Behind the Wheel, an Atlanta-based advocacy group pushing for statewide reform. They are calling for:
- A statewide ban on high-speed chases for nonviolent offenses
- Mandatory training for all law enforcement officers on pursuit alternatives
- Independent investigations of all fatalities involving police pursuits
Legislative Landscape: A State Slow to Change
Despite mounting data and public pressure, Georgia has resisted comprehensive reforms on police pursuits. In 2023, a bill titled The Pursuit Safety Act failed to pass committee. The bill would have prohibited pursuits in densely populated areas unless a violent felony was suspected.
“It’s politics,” said state Rep. Jordan Ellis (D-Atlanta), who co-sponsored the bill. “There’s still a culture of ‘tough-on-crime’ that makes it hard to have rational conversations about safety.”
Following Cooper’s death, Ellis plans to reintroduce a revised version of the bill with bipartisan backing. “This cannot happen again,” he said.
Gov. Brian Kemp has yet to issue a statement on the incident, prompting criticism from activists and Democratic lawmakers.
Voices from the Community
Local business owners in Little Five Points say the crash has renewed fears in an already tense environment. “It’s hard to keep people feeling safe here when something like this happens,” said Tasha Simmons, who owns a vintage boutique near the crash site.
Area residents are also demanding more transparency from GSP. “Why do they chase like this through our neighborhoods?” asked Marcus Bell, a teacher and father of two. “We don’t need speed chases. We need smarter policing.”
A National Problem: High-Speed Pursuits and Public Risk
Georgia is not alone. Across the United States, high-speed police chases kill hundreds of people annually. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics:
- Approximately 350 people are killed annually in pursuit-related incidents
- Roughly 30% of victims are innocent bystanders
- Over 70,000 pursuits occur nationwide each year
Some cities have taken action. Los Angeles Police Department revised its pursuit policy in 2021 to require supervisor approval and mandate the use of GPS tracking darts. Portland, Oregon, now restricts pursuits to suspects involved in violent felonies.
“Technology has advanced,” says criminologist Dr. Alan Jeffries. “We don’t need to be playing demolition derby in the middle of residential neighborhoods.”
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
As Atlanta mourns the loss of Cooper Schoenke, the city also finds itself at a crossroads. The fatal crash is more than just an isolated tragedy—it’s a reflection of systemic flaws in how law enforcement pursues justice.
Cooper’s story has already begun to shift the conversation, putting real pressure on lawmakers, police departments, and communities to reevaluate what justice should look like when it comes at such a high cost.
A trial date for Faduma Mohamed has not yet been set. The Georgia State Patrol has announced an internal review of the incident, but the agency maintains that the pursuit was “within current policy.”
For the Schoenke family and many others, that’s simply not good enough.
