A man who was shot and killed by police Friday evening at a Cobb County Walgreens was wanted on felony gun charges, authorities said.
The shooting happened shortly before 11:30 p.m. at the store on Cobb Parkway near Cumberland Boulevard. The GBI identified the man as Nathain Jenkins, 32, of Valdosta, and said he was wanted on outstanding warrants.
Cobb police later said Jenkins was wanted in their county and two others: Fulton and Lowndes. His charges included multiple probation violations and failure to appear for court dates. Speaking at a news conference Monday afternoon, Cobb police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said officers were most concerned that Jenkins allegedly failed to appear in court to face gun charges in Fulton.
At some point during the encounter, Jenkins was shot by police, the GBI confirmed without clarifying what prompted officers to open fire.
Jenkins was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No officers were injured.
While a handgun belonging to Jenkins was recovered from the scene, according to the GBI, officials did not say where it was found or if he had drawn the weapon.
Jenkins’ father, Darlland Jackson, told Channel 2 Action News that he was on the phone with his son when the shooting happened. He explained that Jenkins had been at a bar near the Walgreens and called to say that he was in trouble.
VanHoozer could not provide any new details about the shooting at Monday’s news conference, instead referring questions to the GBI. He explained that responding officers suspected Jenkins was linked to a separate incident that happened weeks earlier, when a suspect fled from a traffic stop and successfully evaded arrest.
“We did not pursue that individual beyond a certain point because our chase policy has some precautions to safeguard our community,” VanHoozer said.
“We have reviewed that report, and we believe there are some links between that pursuit and this individual,” VanHoozer continued, referring to Jenkins. “We believe this was potentially follow-up from that particular pursuit.”
According to online jail records, Jenkins was arrested in December 2021 by the Georgia State Patrol on multiple charges, including possession of a controlled substance, fleeing or attempting to elude, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and driving under the influence. He was indicted in Fulton on all charges except the DUI, court records show. The case was placed on hold in March due to his failure to appear for his plea hearing.
In Cobb, Jenkins was accused of violating his probation on original charges of second-degree criminal damage to property and possession of cocaine, police said. His warrant out of Lowndes was also for an alleged probation violation after Jenkins was convicted of obstruction and multiple traffic offenses, according to police.
The GBI was asked to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting. It was the 48th officer-involved shooting the state agency has been asked to investigate this year.
Agents are asking that witnesses come forward with any information about what they saw inside the store. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
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