Georgia Hotel Confrontation Leaves One Officer Dead, Another Critically Injured

One Gwinnett County police officer was fatally shot and another was seriously wounded Sunday morning during an exchange of gunfire inside a hotel room near Stone Mountain, roughly 25 miles northeast of Atlanta. The suspect, identified by investigators as 35-year-old Kevin Andrews of Decatur, was also struck by police fire and is receiving medical treatment. Authorities expect him to survive.

The incident began after a caller in another state informed police that a credit card had been used without authorization at the suburban Atlanta hotel. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), officers were dispatched to the property to follow up on the reported fraud. A front-desk employee directed them to the room associated with the questionable transaction.

Upon arrival, Officer Pradeep Tamang, 25, and Officer David Reed approached the designated room. Investigators say Andrews opened the door, spoke briefly with the officers, and invited them inside. While the officers questioned him about the alleged credit-card misuse, Andrews suddenly produced a handgun and opened fire. Both officers were struck. Despite his injuries, one of the officers returned fire, hitting the suspect. No other hotel guests or staff members were harmed.

Emergency medical teams transported the wounded officers to a nearby hospital. Officer Tamang, who joined the department in 2025 and was originally from Nepal, succumbed to his injuries a short time later. Officer Reed underwent surgery and remains in serious yet stable condition, according to Police Chief J.D. McClure.

Responding officers secured the scene, and detectives collected physical evidence from the hotel room, adjoining hallway, and parking lot. Ballistic experts from the GBI will analyze shell casings, firearms, and ammunition to establish a precise timeline of shots fired. Surveillance video from corridor cameras and body-worn camera footage captured by both officers will also be reviewed.

Chief McClure described the event as an unprovoked attack that illustrates the daily risks faced by law-enforcement personnel. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a statement on social media acknowledging the dangers officers confront and expressing gratitude for their service, but he offered no additional details regarding statewide policy responses.

The investigation has been formally transferred to the GBI, following standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in Georgia. Prosecutors from the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit will review the agency’s findings to determine appropriate criminal charges. As of Monday, Andrews remained in custody at the hospital under law-enforcement guard. Court records do not yet list an attorney of record for him.

Meanwhile, the Gwinnett County Police Department is coordinating with the Georgia Department of Public Safety to provide counseling and peer support to officers and family members affected by the shooting. Funeral arrangements for Officer Tamang are pending. The department also plans to hold an internal review to ensure that existing procedures for fraud-related calls and hotel investigations meet current safety standards.

Imagem: imagem internet 48

According to data compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, firearms-related fatalities remain the leading cause of death for on-duty officers in the United States. Although overall line-of-duty deaths have declined slightly over the past decade, experts note that confrontations during routine calls—such as fraud complaints, trespassing incidents, or traffic stops—continue to pose significant hazards.

The hotel where Sunday’s shooting occurred resumed limited operations after investigators concluded scene processing. Management directed guests on the affected floor to alternative rooms and stated that additional security measures would be implemented. The establishment declined further comment, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.

Local leaders in Gwinnett County urged residents with information about Andrews’ recent activities to cooperate with detectives. Investigators are particularly interested in clarifying how the suspect obtained the credit card, the origins of the firearm used, and whether any associates assisted in the alleged fraudulent activity.

Officer Reed’s recovery is being closely monitored by medical staff. While officials remain optimistic, they have not released details about the nature of his injuries. Community organizations have begun collecting donations to support the families of both officers. The police department indicated that verified fundraising links will be posted on its official channels once established.

The GBI is expected to release a preliminary report within 10 days, followed by a comprehensive findings report once laboratory tests and witness interviews are complete. No timetable has been provided for criminal proceedings, which will depend on Andrews’ medical status and the prosecutor’s charging decisions.

Crédito da imagem: Associated Press