Grieving Mother Calls for Police Pursuit Reform After Son’s Tragic Death in Atlanta.
On April 14, 2025, 19-year-old Cooper Schoenke tragically lost his life in Atlanta’s Little Five Points neighborhood when a vehicle, fleeing from Georgia State Patrol (GSP) troopers, ran a red light and collided with his car. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Faduma Mohamed, was attempting to evade law enforcement at the time of the crash. Mohamed now faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide and reckless driving.
Cooper’s mother, Kate Schoenke, is now advocating for changes in police pursuit policies. In an emotional interview, she questioned the decision-making process of the troopers involved, asking, “What was the endgame? Was he going to do a PIT maneuver at Ponce and Moreland? I mean, where she was headed was more and more and more populated.
Kate also addressed the court during Mohamed’s bond hearing, urging the judge to deny bail. She emphasized the gravity of the incident, stating, “She needs to know the magnitude of what she has done.”
In response to this tragedy, community leaders and safety advocates are calling for reforms to GSP’s pursuit policies. Proposed changes include limiting high-speed chases to suspects of violent felonies, requiring supervisory approval before initiating pursuits, and restricting such actions in densely populated areas during peak times.
Governor Brian Kemp’s office acknowledged the incident but emphasized the suspect’s criminal actions, stating that ending police chases would be a “bad idea.
As the community mourns the loss of a promising young life, Kate Schoenke continues to advocate for policy changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support these advocacy efforts.
Our thoughts are with the Schoenke family during this difficult time.