ATLANTA (TCD) — A former Atlanta Police Department officer was arrested this week for allegedly shooting and killing his Lyft driver who he claimed was “in a gay fraternity and was trying to recruit” him.
Fulton County Jail records show Koby Minor was booked May 15 on charges of murder and aggravated assault. According to Minor’s arrest affidavit cited by WSB-TV, on May 15 just after midnight, Minor reportedly called a Lyft to pick him up from the home of a friend, a fellow police officer. Reginald Folks arrived, and during the drive, Folks reportedly spoke on the phone with someone in another language.
WSB reports Minor allegedly heard a second voice, so he asked Folks to stop the car. Folks reportedly did not comply, so Minor tried to open the door at a red light, but it was stuck shut. Folks allegedly reached to the back seat, so Minor took out his gun and shot him three times, including in the head. Minor got out of the car after breaking a window.
Another driver pulled over to assist because she saw Minor flagging down help. That’s when he reportedly said he thought Folks was attempting to kidnap and recruit him into his “gay fraternity.”
The Atlanta Police Department released a statement saying Minor resigned from the department immediately following his arrest. Minor was on administrative leave at the time because he was arrested in December on drug-related charges. Minor was reportedly not in custody of his department-issued firearm because Atlanta Police took it from him when he went on leave.
Minor joined the Atlanta Police Department in 2018.
Folks was a wrestler who attended Clark Atlanta University.
A Lyft spokesperson told WSB in a statement, “Our hearts are with Mr. Folks’ loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy, and we have reached out to offer our support during this difficult time. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation and have permanently banned the rider’s account from the Lyft community.”
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I can’t believe someone would resort to violence over such a misunderstanding. It’s troubling to see such harmful stereotypes perpetuated in this day and age.