Drug-related traffic stop in Cobb turns deadly, suspect fatally shot

A fatal incident unfolded during a traffic stop in Cobb County on Wednesday, resulting in the death of a suspect who was shot by law enforcement. According to GBI officials, the incident commenced at approximately 5:30 p.m. on South Cobb Drive near Windy Hill Road when law enforcement pulled over a driver identified as 26-year-old Peter Luna-Lopez of Marietta. Luna-Lopez was a suspect in a drug investigation.

During the traffic stop, the suspect attempted to escape, prompting a police officer to use her patrol car to force Luna-Lopez’s truck off the road. Subsequently, law enforcement approached the truck and, at some point, discharged their firearms. Luna-Lopez sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. It was revealed that the suspect had a handgun, although authorities did not confirm whether he had fired the weapon during the encounter. Fortunately, no law enforcement officers were injured.

The incident concluded near a Waffle House in the vicinity of the initial traffic stop. Luna-Lopez’s body was transported to the Cobb Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The GBI will undertake an independent investigation into the shooting and will present its findings to the Cobb district attorney for review.

Officials disclosed that this officer-involved shooting marks the 91st such incident the GBI has been called upon to investigate this year.