In the early morning hours of November 18, 2017, in southwest Atlanta, the life of 45-year-old Olden Cooper III was tragically cut short. An African American male, Cooper was known affectionately as 'Wheels' in his community, a name that stemmed from his use of a wheelchair since being paralyzed in 2000. Around 1:30 a.m., officers from the Atlanta Police Department responded to a call at an apartment complex located at 1090 Hollywood Road.
There, next to a dumpster, they discovered Cooper, slumped in his wheelchair with a lighter still in his hand, having been shot in the head.
The investigation into Cooper's death painted a picture of a cold-blooded and seemingly senseless act of violence. Investigators believe an unknown assailant, described by witnesses as a man wearing a black coat, a black skullcap, and light-colored baggy pants, approached Cooper and fired at least seven shots. One of these bullets struck Cooper in the head, killing him instantly. The gunman also fired upon three witnesses who were arriving in the parking lot at the time of the incident, but they managed to escape unharmed and without getting a clear look at the suspect.
In the wake of the shooting, the Atlanta Police Department's homicide unit, led by Detective Arthur Fernhorn, launched an intensive investigation. Despite numerous canvassing efforts in the area and public appeals for information, no significant leads have emerged, and the motive for the killing remains a mystery to both law enforcement and Cooper's grieving family. His brother, Alfonso Bussie, expressed his heartbreak and confusion, describing Cooper as a kind-hearted father and brother who wouldn't bother anyone and was always ready with a word of encouragement.
To this day, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Olden Cooper. The Atlanta Police Department continues to seek information from the public, and Crime Stoppers has offered a cash reward for any tip that leads to an arrest. The lack of a clear motive and the random nature of the attack have left a community in mourning and a family still searching for justice for a man they remember as a source of kindness and positivity.
