GBI: Cobb County officer shoots armed woman during confrontation outside police headquarters

Written by: A. Smith

Published January 29, 2026 @ 9:25 AM ET

COBB COUNTY, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a 26-year-old woman critically injured Wednesday evening outside the Cobb County Police Department headquarters.

According to the GBI, Cobb County police requested the agency to take over the investigation after the shooting occurred at the department’s headquarters. Investigators identified the woman as Rebekah Patterson.

Authorities said Patterson entered the police headquarters and asked to speak with an officer. She and the officer went outside the building, where a conversation took place. During that interaction, investigators say Patterson pulled out a firearm and pointed it at the officer.

Police said the officer ordered Patterson to drop the weapon multiple times, but she refused. The officer then fired multiple shots, striking Patterson. Additional officers quickly responded from inside the building and began providing medical aid, Cobb County police said in a statement.

Patterson was transported to a hospital, where she remains in critical condition. No officers were injured during the incident.

Aerial footage from SKYFOX 5 showed investigators searching several vehicles outside the headquarters. Blood was visible on the sidewalk near the entrance, along with numerous evidence markers. A firearm was seen near one of the markers, though investigators have not confirmed who owned the weapon.

The GBI has not released the name of the officer involved or said whether surveillance footage or witnesses captured the incident. Authorities also have not disclosed whether Patterson had any prior connection to Cobb County police.

Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office for review.