In a significant development in the case of a fatal police shooting, Gwinnett County prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty against Kevin Andrews, the man accused of killing one officer and injuring another during a confrontation at a Stone Mountain hotel. This decision, revealed during a court hearing, underscores the gravity of the charges in a state where capital punishment remains an option for certain heinous crimes.
The incident unfolded on February 1, 2026, when Gwinnett County Police Department officers responded to a report of credit card fraud at the Holiday Inn Express located at 1790 E. Park Place Boulevard in Stone Mountain, Georgia. A caller from South Carolina had alerted authorities to unauthorized use of their card at the hotel, leading officers to identify Andrews, 35, of Decatur, Georgia, as the occupant of the room in question. Upon making contact with Andrews, the officers discovered he had an active warrant for failure to appear out of DeKalb County and attempted to place him under arrest.
According to official accounts, Andrews then drew a handgun and opened fire on the officers, striking both. One officer returned fire, wounding Andrews, who was subsequently hospitalized in stable condition. Senior Officer Pradeep Tamang, 25, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Master Police Officer David Reed underwent surgery and has been reported to be recovering well. Tamang, who joined the department after graduating from the Gwinnett County Police Academy in 2025, had previously earned a masters degree in political science from the University of Akron in Ohio before relocating to Georgia.
Andrews faces a slate of serious charges, including 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. These charges reflect his status as a convicted felon with a history of prior arrests, which prohibited him from possessing a weapon. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, at the request of the Gwinnett County Police Department, led the probe into the officer-involved shooting and confirmed the sequence of events in an official release.
On March 3, 2026, during a preliminary hearing, Gwinnett County Chief Assistant District Attorney John Melvin formally announced the pursuit of the death penalty. The case has since been transferred to Gwinnett County Superior Court for further proceedings. Under Georgia law, the death penalty is applicable in cases involving the murder of a law enforcement officer, provided aggravating circumstances are proven during trial. Prosecutors must demonstrate such factors beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury, which would then decide on sentencing if Andrews is convicted.
This move by the district attorneys office comes amid ongoing tributes to Officer Tamang, whose service and sacrifice have been honored by the community and fellow law enforcement. The investigation remains active, with the case set to be fully reviewed by the Gwinnett County District Attorneys Office upon completion. Andrews remains in custody as the legal process advances, highlighting the states commitment to holding accountable those who target public safety officers.
