Teen was killed a week before birthday; suspect sought
Atlanta police are looking for a man they say shot a 16-year-old girl outside an apartment complex in southwest Atlanta.
Dwight Lewis is accused of killing Keosha Tinch of Decatur on Feb. 2 outside the Deerfield Gardens Apartments in the 2900 block of Campbellton Road.
According to police, Lewis pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and fired several shots at Tinch, including a fatal blow to the head.
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Tinch was seated in the backseat of an SUV that entered the gated community at the time of the shooting. Lewis allegedly began firing at the car and there was an exchange of gunfire, Atlanta police Lt. Charles Hampton told Channel 2 Action News.
The SUV collided with three parked cars during the incident, police said. No one else was injured.
Tinch’s mother told Channel 2 she died just a week and a half before her birthday.
“I feel like somebody just took my heart out my body and just balled it up,” Kenya Tinch said.
Kenya Tinch said Keosha, a junior at Columbia High School, had dreamed of going to the military.
“I really just want to find out what happened with my baby,” Kenya Tinch told Channel 2.
A GoFundMe page has been started to raise money for funeral costs. The family has raised more than $1,700 of the $5,000 goal.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Atlanta police. Tipsters can also 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 crimestoppersatlanta.org.
