A 15-year-old girl was shot and killed by a gunman who opened fire as hundreds of teenagers were being kicked out of a birthday party in Atlanta.
Layla Harris of Marietta was killed Saturday around 11 p.m. It was reported by Fox 5 Atlanta.
A teenager was shot and killed as he tried to run away from flying bullets at ECM Hall Rentals Near Me on Citizens Parkway, police said.
Investigators said they do not believe Layla, who was hit near the front door, was the intended target.
“We need your help to get justice for Layla Harris,” said Clayton County Police Sgt. Julia Isaac said about it at the press conference held on Monday.
According to Isaac, the man who was kicked out of the event “came back with his partner and [the booted would-be party-goer] shot the place up.”
Relatives have started a GoFundMe drive to bring his body back to his hometown of St. Louis.
“Sadly, he tragically died while trying to enjoy himself doing what any fifteen-year-old would enjoy at a birthday party,” the page reads. “Now we’ve lost him to a senseless act of violence.”
Laila attended Sprayberry High School in the Cobb County School District, 11Alive reported.
“Our hearts go out to Layla’s family, friends and the entire community. “Losing a loved one is always difficult, and holidays make the loss even more tragic,” the district report says.
“School and district officials are available to speak with those who may need additional support following the sad news,” Fox 5 Atlanta added.
Community activist Meia Ballinger condemned the latest spate of gun violence.
“It’s funny. And I know the saying that you don’t want to steal. It’s not about trickery. You are saving someone’s life,” he said at a press conference.
“Some don’t want to hear it, but it starts at home. We need parents. We need our teachers, our preachers and our teachers to come together,” Ballinger added.
Layla’s cousin Kailyn Crawford mourned the young girl.
“Laila was only 15 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him and it was taken away from him because of this senseless gun violence,” Kailyn told 11Alive.
“We want to spread awareness about gun violence and how it affects and affects the lives of young people in our communities,” he added.
The Post has reached out to ECM Hall Rentals Near Me for comment.
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