A 19-year-old mother died a week after she was shot when a fight broke out near the Atlanta campus of Georgia State University — leaving three others wounded.
De’Asia Hart was hospitalized in critical condition after gunfire erupted around 5 a.m. on Oct 27, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Hart died from her injuries on Sunday.
She leaves behind a 1-year-old daughter, her family told WSB-TV.
Hart “was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend,” Hart’s family told the outlet in a heartbreaking statement.
She was an aspiring lawyer and planned to enroll in school this Spring.
“While we mourn the loss of a beautiful young lady, we also celebrate her remarkable life. She leaves behind a daughter whose last time she will see her mother. Her mother can’t tell her ‘Goodbye’ or ‘I Love You’,” her family said.
Police said that an argument among a large group of individuals escalated to a shooting at a RaceTrac convenience store in downtown Atlanta, police told reporters at a press conference last week.
Four people were caught in the crossfire, cops said. All four victims “did not have any involvement” in the fight, Atlanta Police Homicide Commander Lt. Germain Dearlove said.
Three of the victims, one male and two females, took themselves to the hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Atlanta police have released surveillance photos of three persons of interest in the shooting. No arrests have been made.
Promise Land funeral announced Hart’s death on Sunday. Messages quickly poured in from friends and loved ones
“De’Asia, I don’t even have the words…I’m going to miss your big smile and contagious laugh!!! Work is not going to be the same without you. My prayers are with you and your family girl,” a coworker, Amber wrote.
“True friends don’t have to talk everyday. I’m deeply sorry for your loss. I pray god give you strength to be strong.Love you girl!My Tyson co-worker,” Tanneka Adkinson said.
A funeral has been scheduled for this Saturday at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Americus.
Hart’s family pleaded with anyone who has information about the shooting to come forward. They’ve also asked Mayor Andre Dickens to “take a strong stance on gun control in the city,” and demanded answers from the police regarding their response.
“We ask that GSU explain why a patrol car was parked across the street and did not render aid. We ask the city to look into the 911 call center and reevaluate the needs so faster response times and actual calls are being answered,” her family said.
“We need justice for De’Asia. We want justice for everyone who encounters these situations,” the said.