Atlanta police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide after an Atlanta Police Department officer and a woman were found dead inside a home near Piedmont Park on Saturday evening, authorities confirmed.
Officers discovered the bodies at approximately 4 p.m. while responding to a welfare check at a residence on Cooledge Avenue Northeast. Friends of the two individuals had contacted the police after being unable to reach them. The home is located in the Atlantic Station area, not far from Piedmont Park.
Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Prenzinna Spann said both individuals were found with gunshot wounds. She noted that when officers initially received the call, it was not confirmed that one of the deceased was a police officer.
“We did not know at the time we received the call that it was an officer; there was some speculation that it may have been, but we did not confirm at that time,” Spann said.
Investigators later identified the officer as Kevin Stroner, an investigator with the City of Atlanta Police Department. According to law enforcement, Stroner shot and killed his girlfriend inside his home at 618 Cooledge Avenue before taking his own life. Police have described the incident as isolated and emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not released the identity of the woman pending notification of next of kin.
Officer Stroner was born on October 20, 1969, and was 56 years old. Policing was his second career; he joined the department after economic challenges affected his landscaping business. The Atlanta Police Department said it is providing support services to officers and staff as they grieve the loss of one of their own.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact Atlanta police as the case continues to develop.