Man suspected of killing Cobb mall guard dies of apparent self-inflicted wound
A man suspected of slaying an on-duty mall security officer in Cobb County has died, apparently after shooting himself.
About 12:20 a.m. Saturday, police responding to a 911 call found the body of Zakeem Berry, 23, of Kennesaw in the roadway near a Red Lobster on George Busbee Parkway, Cobb police Officer Mike Bowman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Red Lobster is near one of the main entrances to Town Center at Cobb, where Berry worked as a security officer.
“Security Officer Berry’s location at the time of this tragic incident was within the parameters of his routine security patrol,” mall management said in an emailed statement.
Berry was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, where he died.
Police later found the suspect in the shooting at the Kroger at 3895 Cherokee St., with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Bowman said. That suspect, identified as 23-year-old Richard Holcomb of Rydal, was taken to the same hospital, but did not survive.
“We have no idea why the suspect shot the victim,” Bowman said.
In another emailed statement, the mall management said it was “deeply saddened by this tragic event” and was working closely with the Cobb police to share any details that may assist in the investigation.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 770-499-3945.
About the Author
Rodney Thrash is the morning breaking news coach for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has been with the paper since November 2013.
