Tragedy struck in Georgia on Sunday when a man opened fire on two police officers during a routine investigation at a hotel, resulting in the death of one officer and leaving the other seriously injured. The confrontation unfolded after the officers were invited into the suspect’s room for questioning, according to officials.
The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Kevin Andrews from Decatur, engaged in a shootout with the officers. During the exchange, one of the officers managed to return fire, wounding Andrews. Gwinnett County Police Chief J.D. McClure shared these details during a press briefing.
Following the incident, Andrews was taken to a hospital for treatment and is anticipated to recover. Upon his discharge, he will be taken into custody and transferred to the county jail.
The violent encounter occurred on a quiet Sunday morning near Stone Mountain, about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta. It left Officer Pradeep Tamang dead and Officer David Reed seriously injured, casting a shadow over the community.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the officers were dispatched to the Holiday Inn Express after receiving a report from a South Carolina resident about fraudulent credit card use at the hotel. Upon arrival, they spoke with the hotel’s front desk clerk, who confirmed that the room in question was rented by Andrews.
The two officers responded to a Holiday Inn Express after a person in South Carolina reported that someone had fraudulently used their credit card at the hotel, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. The agency said the officers spoke with the front desk clerk, who informed them that the room was being rented by Andrews.
After learning that Andrews had an active warrant out of DeKalb County for failure to appear, the officers went to the hotel room to arrest him, according to the agency.
McClure said the suspect greeted the officers at the door to his room and invited them inside.
“They began discussing the scenario or the incident with him,” McClure said. “And at some point the suspect produced a handgun and, in an unprovoked attack, fired at our Gwinnett County police officers.”
Gwinnett County Police Chief J.D. McClure speaks at a news conference on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (WSB via AP)
The chief identified the officers as Pradeep Tamang and David Reed.
Tamang, 25, died from his injuries at a hospital. He joined the police department in 2024.
Reed was hospitalized in serious but stable condition on Sunday afternoon. He joined the department in 2015.
Gov. Brian Kemp said he was “mourning the loss of a brave officer” and “praying for the swift recovery of another.”
“This is the latest reminder of the dangers law enforcement face on a daily basis, and we are grateful for every one that puts themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow Georgians,” Kemp said on X.
The shooting suspect, Kevin Andrews, was shot by one of the officers and transported to a hospital for treatment. (Gwinnett County Police)
Andrews has been charged with one count of malice murder, one count of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault upon a public safety officer and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which customarily handles shootings involving officers in the Peach State, is handling the investigation, which remains ongoing.
The agency said the case will be handed over to the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office for review once the probe is complete.
