11-year-old girl killed, woman injured in domestic shooting, Barrow officials say
A Winder man shot his girlfriend and his 11-year-old daughter during a domestic incident Monday before turning his gun on himself, Barrow County authorities said.
The girl, Angelique Ahearn, was already dead when deputies arrived after getting a report of a domestic disturbance just before 7:45 p.m., the Barrow sheriff’s office said. A woman called 911 to report a possible incident between Rachel Hollifield, 34, and Leonard Ahearn, 59, at a home on Celestial Way.
Investigators believe Hollifield and Ahearn were in a relationship and confirmed that Angelique was his daughter. Officials said Hollifield does not appear to be related to the 11-year-old girl.
The 911 caller said she was speaking to Hollifield on the phone when she heard gunshots and the line went quiet.
Deputies quickly made contact with Hollifield, who was suffering from gunshot wounds to her hands, the sheriff’s office said. Once inside the home, deputies found Ahearn suffering from a serious gunshot wound, along with the girl’s body, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators later learned that Hollifield and Ahearn had been arguing when he got a handgun and shot Angelique, according to the sheriff’s office. Hollifield tried to evade the man, but he found and shot her, then shot himself, officials said.
Both adults were taken to Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital, where Ahearn died from his wound. Hollifield is still recovering at the hospital, the sheriff’s office said.
The investigation is ongoing.
About the Author
Henri Hollis is a reporter and restaurant critic for the Food & Dining team. Formerly a freelance writer and photographer with a focus on food and restaurants, he joined the AJC full-time in January 2021, first covering breaking news. He is a lifelong Atlantan and a graduate of Georgia Tech.
