Suspect Wanted In Connection With Drive-By Shootings Caught

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — A man wanted in connection with drive-by shootings in both Cobb and Paulding counties is behind bars Tuesday after a police chase in Hiram.

Christopher Eli Koen, 20, is charged with theft by receiving a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, both felonies; and misdemeanors including driving without a license and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. More charges in Cobb County may be forthcoming.

An investigation by Cobb County police into a shooting in their county led them to a residence at 7675 Nebo Road in Hiram. Just after midnight on Friday, “multiple rounds were fired at this residence by individuals having ties to Cobb County,” according to a news release from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.

Cobb officers who were watching the Nebo Road incident spotted a red Honda Civic that had just left the scene, the release continued. From there, it was up to Paulding County deputies to pursue the Honda, which eventually crashed at the corner of Nebo and Jack Weldon Drive. Koen, the car’s driver, was later arrested in the area of Seals and Ridge roads.

Soon thereafter, Paulding deputies and Cobb officers surrounded the Nebo Road house, called the occupants outside and then searched the residents. As a result of the search, “multiple individuals were arrested and multiple firearms were seized by Cobb police,” according to the news release.

Anyone with information on the drive-by shooting on Nebo Road or Christopher Eli Koen is asked to call the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office at 770-443-3047 or to send a message via the Paulding Sheriff mobile app.