DeKalb County CEO Cochran-Johnson announces crackdown on crime after back-to-back weekend shootings

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is reaffirming the County’s commitment to both immediate and long-term public safety solutions following a spate of violence this month in South DeKalb that claimed the lives of three people including 7-year-old Dior Scott, and her 29-year-old aunt, Tomeka Pullins, who were gunned down by the woman’s estranged husband on Friday, June 13. 

The following weekend, the Hairston Square Shopping Plaza was the scene of two separate shootings that broke out in broad daylight —one on Friday, June 20, around 3:30 p.m., the other on Saturday, June 21, around 3:30 p.m. 

Antionne Ryan, was fatally shot, during a gunfight on that Friday.  In an unrelated incident on that Saturday, a man in his late 50s was shot in both ankles and a woman in her early 60s was hurt by broken glass while inside of a restaurant. A car pulled up and suspects in the car began shooting toward the restaurant, DeKalb police said.

“These incidents are heartbreaking, and they reaffirm why public safety remains one of my top priorities,” said Cochran-Johnson. “Our residents deserve to feel safe—whether they are shopping, working, or raising families in DeKalb County. We are actively working on real solutions that address both prevention and accountability.”

“We acknowledge that summer often brings an uptick in violent incidents. Longer days, school breaks, and heat-related stressors create a challenging environment,” Cochran -Johnson continued “ Our expanded public safety measures are designed with this seasonal reality in mind, ensuring increased visibility, rapid response, and targeted prevention efforts during high-risk periods.”

To supplement the work of the DeKalb County Police Department, the County has deployed the following tools in high-crime areas:

• Mobile Police Precincts:Rotating units are placed in neighborhoods experiencing increased violence, providing visibility, deterrence, and community presence.

• Increased Patrol Recruitment:DKPD continues aggressive recruitment efforts to boost the number of patrol officers on the streets.

• School-Based Prevention Programs: In collaboration with DeKalb County Schools, the County has invested $250,000 in school-based initiatives to teach conflict resolution, civic responsibility, and de-escalation skills that young people can carry into adulthood.

 Major Public Safety Investments

DeKalb County is making long-term investments to modernize public safety infrastructure and support law enforcement.

• $10.8 Million Reallocation for Police Pay and Benefits:Earlier this year, the County approved a significant reallocation of funds to increase police salaries and benefits—ensuring that DeKalb remains competitive in recruiting and retaining high-quality officers. As of June 1, 2025, police signed recruits are up 

Enhanced Recruitment Efforts: The County continues targeted recruitment strategies to address vacancies and strengthen the department’s presence across communities.

• $2 Million Real-Time Crime Center:A centralized, countywide technology hub is in development to allow police to monitor, track, and respond to crimes in real time. This includes an expansion of video surveillance across the county, feeding live data into the center.

• Drone-as-First-Responder Pilot Program:This innovative pilot will allow drones to arrive at emergency scenes ahead of ground units, providing live aerial footage and increasing officer and civilian safety.

A Call to Action

While DeKalb County continues to prioritize public safety, CEO Cochran-Johnson reminds residents that building safer neighborhoods requires shared responsibility.

“We cannot police our way out of these challenges alone,” said Cochran-Johnson. “We need parents, mentors, faith leaders, educators, and residents to continue to partner with us by reporting what they see, sharing tips, and guiding our youth toward safer futures.”

Residents are encouraged to submit anonymous tips via the Tip411 app or text “DKPD” followed by your tip to 84741.

Double shootings at Hairston Square Shopping Plaza, DeKalb police urging public to hold tempers—”just walk away”