A fatal shooting occurred at a family gathering in the Camden Vantage Apartments complex in Atlanta. | Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
A fatal shooting occurred at a family gathering in the Camden Vantage Apartments complex in Atlanta. | Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
A man was charged recently with the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Ava Phillips in Atlanta.
Police are still searching for a second suspect, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. The shooting occurred at a family gathering in the Camden Vantage Apartments complex in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood on Saturday night. Police officials said the young girl was hit in the head by a stray bullet as an argument escalated into gunfire.
"Any death is tragic, but when there's a child involved, it really hits home," Deputy Chief Charles Hampton, Jr. told FOX 5 Atlanta.
Investigators identified the suspects as 23-year-old Deshon Collins and 44-year-old Kemeka Springfield, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Springfield was taken into custody on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. An active manhunt is underway for Collins, who faces charges of murder, cruelty towards children, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Grief-stricken family members gathered Sunday evening to comfort one another after the crime was committed, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Jonathan Phillips, Ava's father, said his daughter enjoyed traveling and eating at new restaurants.
"This is just unbearable pain … the worst thing imaginable," Phillips said. “... Love and cherish your kids. She was 7. She would've been 8 in January."
Alerts Sign-up