Argument leads to fatal shooting of Rockdale mother of 2, female suspect arrested

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal overnight shooting that claimed the life of a 24-year-old mother of two young children whom a relative said was pregnant.

The suspect, Arkia Tate, was arrested and charged with Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a felony in the death of Kyla Cooper.

Deputies responding to a 911 person shot call found Cooper’s lifeless body at a home in the 2600 block of Golfview Terrace in Rockdale around 12:44 a.m. on Thursday. Tate, who fled the scene after the shooting, was taken into custody shortly after the incident, authorities said.

A cousin of Cooper, who was at the scene, told news reporters that Cooper went to her boyfriend’s home to tell him that she was pregnant and while she was there, Tate, her boyfriend’s other girlfriend, arrived. The two women got into an argument and Tate fatally shot Cooper. The cousin said that Cooper was the mother of two young children.

At a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Deputy Christine Nesbitt, a spokesperson for the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office, said she could not confirm that Cooper was pregnant and that each person’s relationship concerning the incident was still under investigation.

A second individual, Rashad Thompson, was arrested at the scene for charges unrelated to the murder. Nesbitt said no further information was available and the investigation continues.

Booking photos provided by Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office.