2 arrested in 7-year-old Atlanta girl’s shooting death
Two suspects face murder charges after a 7-year-old girl was fatally shot last week in northwest Atlanta, police said.
Preston Smith, 19, and Steven Richardson, 17, were arrested, with authorities saying they opened fire on a house in the 2200 block of Tiger Flowers Drive in the Dixie Hills neighborhood the night of Feb. 24.
Zoey Price, an energetic girl who played basketball and participated in cheerleading, was injured in the gunfire. She died at Grady Memorial Hospital, officials previously said. The little girl’s 44-year-old mother was also struck but survived.
The shooting happened after Smith got into a verbal dispute during a phone call with the child’s brother, according to Atlanta police Deputy Chief Prenzinna Spann. She said a witness told police that Smith “made a threat to shoot up the home” during the conversation before traveling into the city and picking up Richardson.
“Shortly after, these individuals drove to the home on Tiger Flowers, where they committed these heinous acts,” Spann said during a news conference Tuesday announcing their arrests.
Mayor Andre Dickens told reporters he spoke to Zoey’s family members, who described the girl as bright and compassionate.
“She was doing what kids her age do and what they’re supposed to be doing — building friendships and growing up, learning about teamwork. Her life was cut short in an act of senseless violence,” Dickens said.
According to warrants obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, several other people, including two 8-year-olds and a 3-year-old, were inside the home when the gunfire erupted. Bullets flew through the residence, damaging its burglar bar door, exterior siding and living room drywall, the warrants state.
Police Chief Darin Schierbaum previously said his investigators knew who they were looking for in the shooting. On Tuesday, he credited nonstop police work for leading to the arrests.
“APD’s commitment is to justice, and you have seen the men and women of the Atlanta Police Department work throughout the week delivering that. And this is a message that if you are going to harm an innocent child in this city that we will catch you,” he said.
Smith was booked into the Fulton County Jail on Monday and Richardson on Saturday, according to online records. Both are charged with murder, aggravated assault, third-degree cruelty to children, criminal damage to property and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, records show.
Richardson is also charged with possession of a pistol or revolver by a person under 18, according to online records.
The victim’s family and loved ones have started an online campaign to raise money to help with funeral expenses. The GoFundMe has garnered nearly $20,000 so far.
About the Authors
Rosana Hughes is an award-winning bilingual (fluent in Spanish) journalist with a passion for explanatory public service journalism. She has been a reporter on the breaking news team since January 2022.
