Ex-Atlanta officer accused of shooting, killing Lyft driver over kidnapping claim: Reports

An ex-Atlanta police officer was recently arrested in connection to the shooting death of his Lyft driver whom he thought was trying to kidnap him, according to multiple reports.

Koby Minor was taken into custody last Wednesday, May 15, by officers with the Union City Police Department over the killing of Lyft driver Reginald Folks. Minor is charged with aggravated assault and murder, according to local outlet WSB-TV.

Union City police officers responded to a report of a shooting on Stonewall Tell Road after midnight. They found a man who succumbed to his injuries, according to 11 Alive, and learned that the victim was a Lyft driver who was taking Minor to his home. The driver was later identified as Folks.

Minor had worked for the Atlanta Police Department since 2018 and resigned immediately after his recent arrest.

Officer was on leave for separate arrest when deadly shooting occurred

Minor was already on leave for a prior incident when the shooting happened.

"At the time of his arrest in Union City, Minor was on unpaid administrative leave after being arrested in Milton, GA in December 2023," Atlanta Police said. "Minor was relieved of his department issued firearm upon being placed on unpaid administrative leave. Since that time, the firearm has remained in the custody of the APD."

He was disciplined because officers found Xanax in his possession after he crashed his vehicle last year, WSB-TV reported.

Airman killed:US airman Roger Fortson killed by deputies who may have hit wrong home, Ben Crump says

Officer told a witness the Lyft driver was in a 'gay fraternity', tried to kidnap him: Reports

During the ride, Folks started to talk to someone on the phone in a different language, per an arrest affidavit viewed by WSB-TV. During that time, Minor told investigators that he heard a voice. He did not reveal what the voice said to him. 

The report said Minor then asked the rideshare driver to stop so he could exit the vehicle, but Folks didn't. When they reached a red light, Minor attempted to open the door but couldn't because it was locked. 

Minor alleged that when Folks tried to reach in the back seat, he opened fire and struck him multiple times, including in the head, according to the report. Moments later, he broke the window and left the vehicle. 

Minor told authorities that he did not have confirmation if the driver was gay, but a witness said the former officer believed the driver was "in a gay fraternity" who tried to recruit and kidnap him.

USA TODAY has reached out to obtain the arrest affidavit but have not yet heard back.

Victim's mother mourns his death, reports say

Folks' family said he moved to the city to pursue his collegiate education at Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU, 11 Alive reported. He was driving Lyft for extra money but recently started a career as a competitive professional wrestler.

[I'm] very proud of the man he became. Everywhere I went, people met him and enjoyed him. He always ran into people that he knew," Marchelle Folks told the outlet. "He was a friendly guy, very social. Reggie was pretty much the life of the party."

"He was my oldest, 35," she added. "I just talked to him on Mother's Day, and he had just talked to his brother for three hours... We are heartbroken about the entire thing."

Lyft responds to deadly shooting of driver, according to reports

Lyft did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment but told CNN that it is working with authorities on the ongoing probe.

"Our hearts are with Mr. Folks' loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy, and we have reached out to offer our support during this difficult time," the statement said. "We stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation and have permanently banned the rider's account from the Lyft community."