Armed shoplifting suspect killed by police at Cobb mall identified, GBI says

A man suspected of shoplifting died Wednesday after Cobb County police said he produced a gun as he ran from an officer, who then fired at him.

The incident started just before 2 p.m. at the Town Center at Cobb when police said they responded to a report of a shoplifting in progress at the mall. The man killed was identified by officials as Cortez Eatmon, 25, of Alabama.

Cobb police said in a news release several hours after the shooting that an officer approached Eatmon, who then ran off in the mall parking lot. Law enforcement gave Eatmon “verbal commands” to stop running, but the GBI said he refused to comply.

“Another officer then attempted to tase Eatmon multiple times but was unsuccessful. Officers continued to give verbal commands until Eatmon produced a handgun and an officer shot toward Eatmon,” the state agency said in a news release.

Police confirmed he was struck by gunfire and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Rain begins to pour as police respond to an officer-involved shooting incident at the Town Center at Cobb mall on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Cobb police Chief Dan Ferrell, in a written statement, described the incident as “understandably concerning for our community” and said the department’s “thoughts remain with all those affected.”

“We are thankful that no officers were injured and remain committed to transparency and a thorough, independent review as the process moves forward,” he said.

As the investigation unfolded in the mall parking lot midafternoon, law enforcement officials were grouped in front of one of the shopping center’s entrances near the Macy’s furniture gallery.

Town Center is at 400 Ernest Barrett Parkway, between I-75 and I-575. A representative for the mall declined to answer questions Wednesday but said it was operating under normal hours.

The Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy while the GBI will investigate the officer involved shooting. The GBI will forward any findings to the Cobb district attorney for review.

Officials respond to an officer-involved shooting investigation in the parking lot of the Town Center at Cobb mall on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)