Black man shot dead by white girlfriend in Georgia, sparking racial debate

A white woman from Georgia, Hannah Grace Cobb, has been charged with the fatal shooting of her 30-year-old Black boyfriend, Telvin “Telbo Rackins” Osborne.

The incident has sparked intense reactions online, fueled not only by the tragic circumstances of Osborne’s death but also by his past derogatory remarks about Black women. Osborne, a father of two, was killed early Sunday morning following a heated argument with Cobb after a night of drinking. Initially, Cobb claimed the shooting was accidental, stating she had been cleaning her firearm after a night out. However, after further investigation, Cobb was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

According to Burke County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting occurred at approximately 5:45 a.m. in the 800 block of Four Points Road near Waynesboro. Deputies found Osborne suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest, and he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, with the Criminal Investigation Division interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence. Cobb, who is cooperating with the investigation, remains in custody at Burke County Jail.

Sheriff Alfonzo Williams confirmed that both Cobb and Osborne had been drinking before their argument escalated. He emphasized that introducing a firearm into an already volatile situation while intoxicated was reckless. Cobb now faces charges of simple battery, family violence, and reckless conduct in connection to the shooting.

In the wake of Osborne’s death, his past comments about Black women have resurfaced on social media. Osborne had previously made controversial remarks, including expressing a preference for white women over Black women. 

These statements have sparked mixed reactions. While some have expressed sympathy for his tragic death, others have condemned his past rhetoric, which many view as an example of internalized racism. The irony of Osborne’s death at the hands of a white woman—the very demographic he had publicly exalted—has added a layer of controversy to the situation.

As Cobb faces charges, questions remain about whether justice will be fully served. Some believe her actions were intentional and argue for harsher penalties, while others feel that Osborne’s past rhetoric has influenced public perception of the case, overshadowing the serious domestic violence that led to the shooting.