Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Man who fired at cops after high-speed chase gets 21 years in prison

The man fled from authorities in Meriwether County and led them on a high-speed chase on Ga. 85 on Dec. 21, 2018.
The man fled from authorities in Meriwether County and led them on a high-speed chase on Ga. 85 on Dec. 21, 2018.
By Emmanuel Morgan
Aug 19, 2019

A Stone Mountain man was sentenced to 21 years in prison without parole for leading authorities on a dangerous high-speed chase through three Georgia counties and firing a sawed-off shotgun at them late last year.

Rodriguez Kemp fled from authorities in Meriwether County and led them on a high-speed chase on Ga. 85 on Dec. 21, 2018, according to a news release. The chase went through Coweta County and ended in Fayette County, where Kemp fired at officers and deputies, the release said. They returned fire, hitting Kemp multiple times, according to the GBI.

Kemp entered a guilty plea Monday on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, use of a sawed-off shotgun during the commission of a crime and fleeing and attempting to elude.

RELATED: Metro Atlanta man shot by officers after traffic stop, chase, GBI says

“Let this sentence send a message to those who assault a law enforcement officer in my circuit. Violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated, and the punishment for said acts will be severe,” Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Ben Coker said in the release.

In other news:

The gunman eventually surrendered.

About the Author

Emmanuel Morgan
More Stories

Keep Reading

A man rides a bicycle in the rain along 10th Street in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Rain, fog complicate trip back to Atlanta for holiday travelers

Wet and chilly weather, as well as fog, are expected to harshly greet Georgia travelers returning home Sunday after the holiday weekend and through the early week.

Jurors mostly acquit Atlanta businessman in yearslong fraud case

Jurors mostly acquitted an Atlanta businessman and his dietary supplement company in a yearslong federal fraud, money laundering and drug misbranding case.

Man locked up for 23 years despite evidence proving his innocence, lawsuit says

Although investigators had reason to believe Sandeep “Sonny” Bharadia wasn’t involved in the crime, they pushed forward with a case against him anyway, a lawsuit says.

The Latest

Sonny Bharadia, who spent more than two decades behind bars for a 2001 crime he did not commit, is suing the small town of Thunderbolt and the two law enforcement officers who handled his case. (Courtesy of Georgia Innocence Project)

Credit: Georgia Innocence Project

Man locked up for 23 years despite evidence proving his innocence, lawsuit says

Rain, fog complicate trip back to Atlanta for holiday travelers

Gridlock Guy: Too much ‘holiday cheer’ can shatter silent night on the road

Featured

Inventor Lonnie Johnson stands with his Super Soaker water guns at JTEC Energy on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. Johnson, a former NASA engineer, is currently working on a new energy technology through his company’s JTEC device that turns thermal heat into usable energy. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Earth needs more energy. Atlanta’s Super Soaker creator may have a solution.

The legendary inventor of the Super Soaker, Lonnie Johnson, is refining technology in Atlanta that he thinks could help the planet reduce energy waste.

Teen GOP activist steps down from party leadership post

Greene County native and University of North Georgia student Ja’Quon Stembridge, 19, had run on boosting youth involvement in the party.

2025 SEC championship game: Kickoff time, TV channel, participants, ticket info

The 2025 SEC Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6. Below you can find information on game time, TV channel and particpants for the game.