Suspect Fails to Stop for Deputies
Around 7:55 PM on July 8th, 2025 a deputy with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a black Audi near the 35 Mile Marker on Interstate 85 North.
Instead of stopping, the vehicle increased speed and continued traveling northbound on the interstate before exiting at Exit 41 – Moreland. As the vehicle pursuit headed north, dispatch notified additional units with the CCSO as well as with the Newnan Police Department and Georgia State Patrol. These units would work to intercept the pursuit as it headed north and eventually through downtown Newnan.
Once the suspect vehicle exited the interstate it took a left on Highway 29 South heading west towards Newnan. As the pursuit passed East Highway 16 and it became apparent the pursuit was headed into downtown Newnan, a Newnan Police Department unit staged at the intersection of Greenville St and Spence Ave with spike strips.
As the suspect vehicle approached the intersection the NPD unit deployed the spike strips. The suspect vehicle struck the strips and units confirmed that both of the vehicles passenger side tires had been impacted by the spikes.
Pursuit Ends after Blowing through Court Sq at High Speeds
While the suspect vehicle did hit the the spike strips, the vehicle continued traveling down Greenville St at high speeds, blowing through light traffic in the Downtown Court Sq area before exiting the area on Jefferson St.
As the vehicle made the hard right turn in front of the Newnan Police Department, the vehicle lost control and exited the roadway into a parking lot and finally coming to stop after making contact with the front of the Loanmax Title Loans building located at 115 Jefferson St in Newnan.
Once the suspect vehicle came to a stop, the driver ran from the vehicle before being caught and arrested a couple hundred feet away behind the Family Dollar located next to the Loanmax location.
Suspect Arrested
Records show that three suspects were arrested on April 30th, 2025 for multiple charges including Armed Robbery, which seems to be the motive for the shooting. According to booking records all three suspects reside at the same residence in Fairburn. Cedarious and Christopher Greenway are believed to be brothers.
Franco Deangelo Gates, 25
Franco Deangelo Gates, 25, of Columbus was arrested and booked into the Coweta County Jail for the following charge(s).
- Willful Obstruction Of Law Enforcement Officers (M)
- Purchase/Possess/Manufact/Dist/Sale Cont Subst-Multiple Cnt (F)
- Marijuana-Possess Less Than 1 Oz. (M)
- Reckless Driving (M)
- Failure To Maintain Lane (M)
- Obedience To Required Traffic-Control Device (M)
- Fleeing/Attempting To Elude Police Officer (F)
- Affixing Materials That Reduce Or Increase Light Transmissis (M)
As of July 10th, 2025, Gates remains in custody at the Coweta County Jail where he’s being held without bond.
