19-year-old killed in Little Five Points crash; victim, suspect identified

ATLANTA - A police chase ended in tragedy Monday night when a fleeing driver ran a red light and slammed into another vehicle in Atlanta’s Little Five Points neighborhood, killing a 19-year-old man.

What we know:

The Georgia State Patrol confirmed Tuesday that Cooper Schoenke, 19, of DeKalb County, was killed in the crash. Schoenke was driving a Honda Accord when the suspect’s vehicle struck the Honda at the intersection of Moreland Avenue and McLendon Avenue around 7:51 p.m. Schoenke was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cooper Schoenke. Courtesy photo (obtained with permission)

Authorities identified the driver of the fleeing vehicle as Faduma Mohamed, 23, of Stone Mountain. She was taken into custody at the scene and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

What they're saying:

According to investigators, a GSP trooper initially attempted to stop Mohamed on Interstate 20 eastbound near Boulevard after observing her speeding and weaving through traffic. When she failed to pull over, the trooper initiated a pursuit that exited the highway and continued north along Moreland Avenue.

As Mohamed approached the intersection at McLendon Avenue, she allegedly ran a red light, crashing into Schoenke’s Honda. The impact pushed the car nearly a block from the point of collision, witnesses said. FOX 5 crews observed a sedan with heavy damage and a red tarp over the driver’s side window near the closed Corner Tavern.

Firefighters used extraction equipment to reach Schoenke, but he could not be saved.

The crash left debris, shattered glass, and scattered clothing across the busy intersection of Moreland and Euclid avenues. Traffic in the area was brought to a standstill for hours as emergency crews investigated and cleared the scene.

Charges against the suspect include felony fleeing, reckless driving, speeding, improper lane change, failure to obey a traffic control device, vehicular homicide and murder.  

The other side:

Patrice Hull owns Stuff We Wanna Say on Moreland Avenue. Her security camera captured the collision that claimed the life of 19-year-old cooper Schoenke.

"It was just heartbreaking," Hull said. "It was unthinkable because it came so fast and I thought, this cannot be a regular occurrence."

"When I rewatch the footage, you'll see a young lady trying to get out of a way to maneuver away from the car that almost hit her," Hull said.

Hull says the area is known to be dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians. She says while the crash was different then most she sees, she believes it highlights the big problems people face moving through this popular area.  

"I hate that a tragedy is what causes people to understand how dangerous the areas are, but I do hope that someone takes note of it," Hull said.

Drew Charter School shared the following statement with families:

"It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of one of our former students, alumnus Cooper Schoenke, a member of Drew’s Class of 2023.  Cooper passed as an innocent bystander in a fatal car accident on April 14, 2025, in Atlanta’s Five Points neighborhood. This loss is deeply felt throughout our school community.  Cooper attended Drew since second grade, and the Schoenke family has been a longstanding and active part of the Drew community.  

"Counselors at each academy will be available to speak with any students who need support as they navigate their feelings or have questions. We encourage you to talk with your child at home and remind them that it is okay to grieve, to feel a range of emotions, and to ask for help. If you believe your child needs additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our counseling team.

"Please keep the Schoenke family lifted in your thoughts."

What we don't know:

At this time, we don't know why the suspect was attempting to escape the police. The investigation into the incident continues and more details are expected to be released.