UPDATE:
On the day that a family originally planned to be hosting a surprise baby shower, Saturday instead was a time for family, friends and other metro residents to gather for a vigil to remember a slain woman, her unborn child and her 16-year-old son.
The parents of the slain woman were greeted by a crowd at the start of the 6 p.m. event at Stockbridge City Hall.
Kathie White — whose daughter Sandra White and grandson Arkeyvion were killed at their Stockbridge home by White’s boyfriend in a standoff in Henry County — urged those at the vigil to speak out about abusive relationships, Channel 2 reporter Christian Jennings reported. In an earlier interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kathie White said her daughter hadn’t made them aware that she was a victim of domestic violence.
Earlier story:
A vigil will be held this evening for the Stockbridge woman and her teenage son who were killed Thursday during a 16-hour standoff that sent shock waves through the Henry County community.
The prayer vigil is planned for 6 p.m. at Stockbridge City Hall at 4640 N. Henry Blvd.
Sandra White, a pregnant 39-year-old nurse, and her 16-year-old son Arkeyvion were killed by White’s boyfriend Anthony Bailey, Henry County police said.
White was excited about delivering a baby boy later this month and her parents were planning a surprise shower for their daughter this weekend when tragedy struck.
Arkeyvion was a sophomore at Dutchtown High School, where he was on the honor roll and played football, his grandparents said.
Police were called to the home in the Eagle Ridge subdivision before 11 a.m. Thursday after White’s sister called 911 to report that the pregnant woman was on the ground in the garage.
Two responding officers who forced their way inside the home were shot, prompting a 16-hour police standoff that ended early Friday when officers entered the home and discovered that all three people inside were dead.
It is believed Bailey killed White first and then her son before ultimately turning the gun on himself.
Henry County police Chief Mark Amerman said Bailey shouldn’t have had guns at all since he was a convicted felon who served nearly two years in the ‘90s for an aggravated assault conviction.
A GoFundMe page set up to collect money for the family's memorial services has raised more than $6,000 in one day.
“We’re doing the best we can,” Kathie White, Sandra’s mother, said through tears. “We’ve got to bury three. It’s gonna be hard. But by the grace of God, I know we can do it.”
RELATED: Tragic end to standoff — 'We've got to bury three'
White planned to name her newborn Antonio, her parents said.
— Please return to AJC.com for details on funeral arrangements.
MORE: Henry County officers released from hospital after fatal standoff
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