A 59-year-old woman was killed after being struck multiple times in her sleep during a drive-by shooting in southwest Atlanta, authorities said.
It was one of two deadly shootings Tuesday morning, bringing Atlanta’s homicide count to 116 this year. The killings further cemented 2020 as the deadliest year in more than a decade.
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
The woman was shot inside the Pavilion Place Apartments in the 500 block of Cleveland Avenue about 5:45 a.m., according to Atlanta police homicide unit commander Lt. Pete Malecki. The Fulton County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Eva M. Jones. She was taken to a hospital, where she died.
“She was in her bedroom, so we do believe she was sleeping,” Malecki said. Her boyfriend was in another room and was not injured.
“The gunfire took place from outside the apartment,” the homicide commander said. “We do believe this apartment was targeted. We don’t know the motive behind that.”
Mimi Hixson-Smith, Jones' niece, told Channel 2 Action News she believes the intended target was the boyfriend, although she wasn’t sure why someone would want to shoot him.
Investigators found several bullet holes in the side of the lower-level unit. Based on ballistics evidence, Malecki said it appears the shots were fired with a semi-automatic weapon from an elevated position. The shooter could have fired from a hill behind the apartment building, he said.
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Hixson-Smith said her aunt was shot between eight and 10 times.
The family was getting ready to celebrate the grandmother’s 60th birthday next month.
“She was so silly. She made everybody laugh,” Hixson-Smith told Channel 2.
Hixson-Smith is asking those with information about her aunt’s murder to come forward.
"Plead to the community, to the public, to anyone who know her. Because she was so amazing, if they (have) any answers, anyone that can help lead the police to the person who done this,” she told the news station.
Investigators are asking anyone who heard the gunfire at the apartment complex or saw anyone running from the scene to come forward.
Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
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