Vidarious Lakeieth Cooper, a 32-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on December 31, 2021, in Atlanta, Texas. He was fatally shot at an apartment complex on Dogwood Street shortly after 3 p.m. Responding officers found Cooper already deceased at the scene. The incident was reported to authorities via a 911 call, and Cooper was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Atlanta Police Department quickly identified 26-year-old Da’Kyree Lamont Hawkins as the primary suspect in Cooper's murder. Hawkins was wanted on a murder warrant and was considered armed and dangerous. Authorities issued an alert for his capture and urged the public not to approach him.
On January 7, 2022, Hawkins was arrested in Texarkana, Texas, by a joint task force consisting of the U.S. Marshal Service and the East Texas Fugitive Task Force. The arrest brought some closure to the case, although the details of Hawkins' capture were not publicly disclosed.
The investigation into Vidarious Lakeieth Cooper's death revealed that the shooting occurred following an altercation between Cooper and Hawkins at the Country Place Apartments. The motive behind the altercation and subsequent shooting remains unclear, but the swift actions of law enforcement in apprehending Hawkins were crucial in bringing the case to a resolution.
The loss of Vidarious Lakeieth Cooper was a tragic event that shook the community of Atlanta, Texas. His family and friends continue to mourn his passing, and the legal proceedings against Hawkins are ongoing as the justice system seeks to hold the responsible party accountable for this senseless act of violence.