Atlanta Cop Accused of Killing Lyft Driver He Believed Was Recruiting Him Into ‘Gay Fraternity’: Affidavit

A former officer with the Atlanta Police Department who believed his Lyft driver was “in a gay fraternity and was trying to recruit” is accused of fatally shooting the man, authorities said.

Just after midnight on May 15, Koby Minor ordered a Lyft to pick him up from the home of a friend, a fellow police officer, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by WSB-TV.

The driver, later identified as 35-year-old Reginald Folks, arrived and during the drive, Folks reportedly spoke on the phone with someone in another language.

According to the affidavit, Minor believed he heard a second voice, so he asked Folks to stop the car.

Folks, however, did not comply with the request, so Minor tried to open the door at a red light, but failed because it was stuck shut, officials said.

Folks allegedly reached into the back seat, so Minor pulled out his gun and shot him three times, including in the head, before the officer exited the vehicle through a window he broke, the affidavit shows.

Another driver stopped at the scene after spotting Minor flagging down help, authorities said in the affidavit, claiming Minor then said he thought Folks was attempting to kidnap and recruit him into his “gay fraternity.”

Minor was arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault.

The Atlanta Police Department said in a statement that Minor immediately resigned from the department after his arrest.

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Minor was on administrative leave at the time of the deadly shooting because he was arrested in December on drug-related charges, officials noted. He reportedly was not in custody of his department-issued firearm because of the leave of absence.

Folks was a wrestler who attended Clark Atlanta University, according to WSB.

A Lyft spokesperson said, "Our hearts are with Mr. Folks' loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy, and we have reached out to offer our support during this difficult time. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation and have permanently banned the rider’s account from the Lyft community."