Murder suspect caught

The Atlanta Police Department issued an active arrest warrant for 26-year-old Da’Kyree Lamont Hawkins for the murder of Atlanta resident Vidarious Lakeieth Cooper which happened in Atlanta on Friday, December 31, 2021, in the late afternoon.

Cass County District Attorney’s office issued a statement on January 5 informing the area that the susoect had been caught. “Da’Kyree Lamont Hawkins was arrested in Texarkana, Texas for the murder of Vadarious Lakeith Cooper that occurred on December 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Texas. Many agencies quickly responded and assisted on New Year’s Eve with the investigation and scene control. Thank you to Atlanta Police Department, Cass County Sheriff ’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Linden Police Department, Texas Rangers, and Cass County District Attorney’s Office Chief Investigator Cody Sartor. A special thank you, also, to the U.S. Marshal’s Joint East Texas Task Force and the Texarkana Texas Police Department for their assistance in locating and apprehending Hawkins. These relationships enable us to investigate our cases fully, ensuring that justice is ultimately served. We are grateful to all of these agencies’ service not only to Cass County, but to all the surrounding areas they serve.”

Cooper was gunned down after an altercation with Hawkins at the Country Place Apartments on Dogwood Street. According to witnesses on the scene, the disagreement started over drugs.