Cop Shoots, Kills Driver Who Dragged Him In Cobb

MARIETTA, GA — A Cobb County Police officer shot and killed a man who was trying to drive away after police smelled marijuana in his hotel room. The suspect, 25-year-old Sanchez Lowe, dragged the officer with his vehicle prior to the shooting, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI is investigating the shooting, which happened Tuesday at the Guest Inn at 95 South Service Rd. in Austell.

While patrolling the hotel area, Cobb police officers "smelled an odor consistent with marijuana" and made contact with the people in a room at the hotel. While they were waiting for a search warrant for the room, Lowe ran out and tried to drive away, the GBI said.

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Officers tried to stop him and the officer who ultimately shot and killed Lowe was dragged by his vehicle while trying to do so, according to the GBI. Two handguns and "a substantial amount" of marijuana later were found in the hotel room, authorities say.

Two police officers received minor injuries during the chase. They were treated at a local hospital and released.

The Cobb County Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy on Lowe. As is routine in Georgia, the GBI is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Once completed, the findings of their investigation will be turned over to the Cobb County District Attorney's office for review.

Patch photo by Renee Schiavone.