She wasn’t the intended target. But it was 14-year-old Kyra Scott who was struck in the chest by a bullet, allegedly fired by her younger brother.
On Tuesday, a Douglas County family dealt with an unthinkable tragedy: Planning a funeral for Kyra while her 13-year-old brother was in a courtroom, one of two people charged with murder.
The teenager is at least the third child in metro Atlanta to be killed by gunfire in recent weeks.
Her death follows that of 8-year-old Kayden Jones, who was shot Nov. 13 at an apartment complex in southwest Atlanta, and 5-year-old Khalis Eberhart, who was killed on Thanksgiving night in South Fulton when a 3-year-old sibling accidentally fired a round into her chest. More than 20 children and teenagers have been killed in metro Atlanta shootings this year, with Eberhart among the youngest victims.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office declined Tuesday afternoon to release details about the moments leading up to Kyra’s death. She died about 2:30 p.m. Saturday at a Marathon gas station on Stewart Mill Road before her family could make it to the hospital.
But according to the Douglas County Sentinel, investigators have made two arrests in the case, including Kyra’s brother and 19-year-old Yusef McArthur El. Both have been charged with murder and made their first court appearances Tuesday. The two were denied bond, according to the report.
In addition to the murder charge, El is also charged with robbery-sudden snatch, The Sentinel reported. It all began when El tried to rob the 13-year-old, according to testimony in court. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is not naming the younger suspect due to his age, though he is being charged as an adult.
El placed the 13-year-old in a headlock and stole a gun from him, according to an arrest warrant read in court. As El ran from the Vicki Lane home, the 13-year-old fired a 9mm handgun, The Sentinel reported.
The bullet struck Kyra.
Her mother attempted to drive the high school student to the hospital, but stopped at the gas station for help, Channel 2 Action News reported.
A traumatic scene unfolded, witnesses said.
“I dropped down on my knees and I prayed and prayed that that child would make it,” Jaquan Straughn told the news station. “There was really nothing I could do. Because a couple of people were trying to get close, but the officer was telling us to get back.”
Now, Kyra’s family is planning her funeral. One of her siblings, Auriel Sam, wrote on a GoFundMe page, “I never thought I would lose my sister to gun violence.”
“Kyra was the kindest little girl you would’ve ever met,” Sam said. “She had the biggest heart and always wanted to be around her family.”
The Douglas County School System released a statement about the teen’s death Tuesday night, saying they are “devastated by the recent loss of one of our students.” The school district activated its Crisis Response Team on Monday morning, ensuring that students had access to mental health resources as they grieve.
“This student was a valued member of our family and will be deeply missed,” Superintendent Trent North said. “This loss has shocked and saddened our learning community. For students, this loss has been unbearable.”
The fundraiser for Scott’s family had collected more than $9,000 of its $25,000 goal as of Tuesday evening. Funeral plans had not been finalized.
“Kyra was the sweetest and boldest soul,” one donator posted on the GoFundMe site. “RIP ky.”
Both suspects were being held without bond late Tuesday. El is an inmate at the Douglas County jail and the 13-year-old is being held at a youth detention center.
