A now-former Atlanta Police Department (APD) officer has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Lyft driver in Union City. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning, sending shockwaves through the community and raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
According to authorities, the victim, identified as 35-year-old Reginald T. Folks, was working as a Lyft driver when he was shot and killed while giving the suspect, Koby Minor, a ride to his residence. Minor, who was on unpaid administrative leave at the time of the shooting due to a previous arrest in December 2023, was taken into custody at the scene.
Union City police responded to the call on South Fulton Parkway near Stonewall Tell Road, where they found Folks deceased. Minor, who had been with the APD since July 2018, was arrested and is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail on a murder and aggravated assault charge.
The Atlanta Police Department confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that Minor was indeed one of their officers. At the time of his arrest, Minor was on unpaid leave after being arrested in Milton on December 25, 2023, on charges of possession of a controlled substance and drugs not in an original container. His department-issued firearm was confiscated and has been in police custody since the December arrest.
In response to the incident, Lyft released a statement expressing sympathy for Folks' family and stating that they have "permanently banned the rider's account from the Lyft community." The company also expressed its willingness to assist law enforcement with any investigation.
This tragic event has left many in the community reeling, as they grapple with the unsettling reality that a law enforcement officer could be involved in such a heinous act. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on seeking justice for the victim and understanding the circumstances that led to this devastating outcome.
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