Atlanta police say Gwinnett officers arrested sexual assault suspect Kwame Shabazz after public tips and media outreach

Arrest follows public request for help in January 22 Cosmopolitan Drive case

Atlanta police said a wanted sexual assault suspect, Kwame Shabazz, was taken into custody on February 5, 2026, by the Gwinnett County Police Department after investigators asked for the public’s help locating him. Police said Shabazz was extradited to the Atlanta Police Department and was awaiting transfer to the Fulton County Jail.

The arrest was announced the same day Atlanta police held a press conference seeking assistance from residents and local media in identifying and locating the suspect. Police credited community vigilance and tip information for helping move the case forward. Authorities emphasized that an arrest is not a conviction and that suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

What police have alleged about the Buckhead incident

Investigators have tied Shabazz to an alleged sexual assault reported January 22, 2026, on Cosmopolitan Drive NE. Police said officers responded to a report of a sexual assault at that location and later released surveillance materials and other investigative images as part of the search for the suspect.

In public updates, police have described the alleged incident as occurring inside an apartment complex in the Buckhead area near the Lenox and Piedmont corridor. Police have also publicly referenced an additional reported incident the following day in the Piedmont Road area in which a woman reported indecent exposure. Authorities have said they were examining information suggesting additional alleged crimes and potential connections across metro jurisdictions.

Coordination across agencies and jurisdictions

The case highlights how sexual assault investigations can extend across city and county lines. Atlanta police said Gwinnett County officers made the arrest and that the suspect was transferred to Atlanta authorities after being taken into custody.

In updates connected to the search, police have stated that Shabazz was wanted on multiple charges and that there were warrants connected to separate jurisdictions within the metro Atlanta area.

What happens next procedurally

With the suspect in custody, the case is expected to move into the court process, including booking and initial court appearances. Fulton County jail procedures generally include intake, fingerprinting, photographing, and a first appearance before a judge for individuals who do not bond out, where charges are reviewed and bond may be addressed.

• Arrest date announced by police: February 5, 2026
• Reported Buckhead incident date cited by investigators: January 22, 2026
• Custody pathway described by police: Gwinnett County arrest, extradition to Atlanta, pending transfer to the Fulton County Jail

Anyone with information related to sexual assault investigations is typically urged to contact law enforcement or submit tips through established reporting channels.