A cop has died and another has been left seriously injured after they were allegedly shot by a serial criminal in what police described as an unprovoked attack in a Georgia Holiday Inn hotel room.
Pradeep Tamang, 25, died of his injuries after he was allegedly shot by gunman Kevin Andrews, 35, on Feb. 1.
Tamang and his colleague Cpl. David Reed rushed to the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Stone Mountain – located around 20 miles from Atlanta – as they probed suspected credit card fraud, according to WBRC.
The officers were invited into the room but were allegedly shot at when they tried to arrest Andrews over an outstanding warrant.
“The suspect produced a handgun and in an unprovoked attack, fired at our Gwinnett County police officers,” cops said.
Both fired back in self-defense but Tamang, who was born in Nepal and engaged, died.
Andrews, who has a lengthy rap sheet, was left with non-life-threatening injuries.
JD McClure, the Gwinnett County police chief, hailed the officers bravery.
“These officers are heroes. They go out to the road every day and face uncertainty,” he said.
“They also understand that at the end of the day they provide a very valuable service and that is safety.”
Brian Kemp, the Georgia governor, alluded to the dangers cops face in the line of duty.
“This is the latest reminder of the dangers law enforcement face on a daily basis, and we are grateful for every one that puts themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow Georgians,” he said.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation officials are leading the probe.
