The mother of two young girls who were shot last month when someone opened fire into their Clarkston apartment said she’s glad to have her daughters back home.
The girls, ages 7 and 4, were playing video games two days after Christmas when nearly 20 rounds tore through their home, striking them both, authorities said. Now, police are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrests in the case.
The children’s mother, who asked not to be identified, said she was preparing to give her daughters baths when she heard gunfire outside her home. She rushed into the living room and discovered both of her children had been shot.
Police responded to the Clarkston Station Apartments about 7 p.m. Dec. 27 and were quickly flagged down by the woman, according to an incident report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Both children had been placed in a car outside the apartment building, one with a gunshot wound to the chest and the other bleeding from a gunshot wound to her cheek, authorities said.
The sisters, 7-year-old Samiya Reese and 4-year-old Sariyah, were taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. Both were hospitalized for nearly a month but are now back at home, their mother said. They could be heard playing in the background when she was reached by phone Tuesday evening.
“They’re doing pretty good, but we’re still going through physical therapy and everything like that,” she said.
According to the incident report, officers discovered nearly 20 shell casings in front of the home that came from a high-powered rifle. An officer reported seeing at least 10 bullet holes in the patio door and outer wall of the apartment.
No suspects have been identified and Clarkston investigators are still searching for a possible motive. The children’s mother said she has no idea who shot her daughters, but wants the people responsible identified and brought to justice.
“I just thank God that they’re still here,” she said, adding that both are expected to make complete recoveries. “They’re strong little girls. They’re fighters.”
Earlier that day, a neighbor recorded cellphone video of three armed men walking toward the apartment, police said, one of whom was carrying a long gun.
Credit: Crime Stoppers
Credit: Crime Stoppers
In the video, which was shared online last week, the neighbor can be heard confronting one of the suspects and asking why he had been wearing a ski mask.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Clarkston police. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for the cash reward, by calling Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
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