Mother arrested in connection to shooting death of 7-year-old girl in Atlanta

Police still looking for man in connection to shooting
Published: Aug. 28, 2022 at 8:36 AM EDT|Updated: Aug. 29, 2022 at 12:57 PM EDT
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ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) - A 7-year-old girl who was shot and killed during a family gathering in Atlanta on Saturday evening has been identified as Ava Phillips.

7-year-old shot and killed during family gathering identified by police

Family members of Phillips confirmed her death and provided CBS46 News with pictures of her.

Ava Phillips, 7, was killed after a family dispute led to gunfire.
Ava Phillips, 7, was killed after a family dispute led to gunfire.(From family of Ava Phillips)

The shooting happened at Camden Vantage Apartments in northeast Atlanta just before 10:15 p.m. Saturday. Police said Phillips was shot in the head and died at the scene.

“Any death is tragic but when a child is involved, it really hits close to home,” said Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr.

Homicide detectives were able to identify two persons of interest in this investigation and obtained arrest warrants for 23-year-old Deshon Collins and 44-year-old Kemeka Springfield. Police say Springfield, who is the girl’s mother, is in custody charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Collins is still at large and has arrest warrants for murder, cruelty towards children, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

KEMEKA SPRINGFIELD
KEMEKA SPRINGFIELD(Atlanta Police Department)

CBS46 will continue to monitor developments on this story.

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