Former Atlanta Police Officer Convicted Of Murder

ATLANTA, GA — A former Atlanta police officer was found guilty of murder on Wednesday.

According to the Fulton County DA's office, Tahreem Rana, 25, was also convicted on charges of aggravated assault, arson and other charges.

On August 22, 2014, Hapeville police were called to a city-owned dumping ground when an employee discovered a body on fire. The victim was identified as 26-year-old Vernecia Woodard. Investigators learned the victim also suffered a fatal gunshot wound to her head before her body was doused with gasoline and set on fire less than a mile from Rana’s home.

The victim’s cell phone tower logs indicate she arrived in Hapeville shortly after speaking with Rana on the night of the murder. DNA discovered on the defendant’s service weapon was also an exact match to the victim.

Rana was an Atlanta police officer at the time of the murder. He was later fired.

Rana will be sentenced at a later date.

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