The city of Atlanta is grieving the devastating loss of 7-year-old Zoey Price, a young girl who celebrated her birthday just two months ago in December and who now carries the somber distinction of being the youngest homicide victim recorded in Atlanta thus far in 2026.
Zoey was killed and her 44-year-old mother wounded on Tuesday, February 24, when gunfire was sprayed into their northwest Atlanta residence during what police have characterized as a drive-by shooting connected to a dispute between individuals that took place approximately thirty minutes prior to the gunfire. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office has formally identified Zoey as the victim, confirming that a child’s life was taken within the very walls that should have provided nothing but protection.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded shortly after 9:45 p.m. to reports of shots fired at a home in the 2200 block of Tiger Flowers Drive NW, situated near the intersection of Joe Louis Drive NW in the historic English Avenue neighborhood. When officers arrived, they discovered a 44-year-old woman and her 7-year-old daughter suffering from gunshot wounds.
Recognizing the critical nature of the child’s injuries and confronted with a delay in ambulance arrival, officers made the urgent decision to transport Zoey themselves directly to Grady Memorial Hospital. Despite their courageous and rapid actions, the child died from her injuries, while her mother remains hospitalized in stable condition and is expected to recover.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum addressed the media following the tragedy, his remarks reflecting the profound sorrow felt by both the department and the city. “We believe an individual came to this location and opened fire on the home,” Schierbaum stated, confirming that while those involved were likely acquainted, the incident was not domestic in nature and the suspect is not believed to be a family member.
The impact of this shooting has resonated deeply within the police department. Chief Schierbaum acknowledged the significant emotional weight carried by the first responders, noting that four officers are currently receiving support. “Our officers are mothers and fathers. They’re brothers and sisters to young siblings,” he said. “When it’s a child, it hits home. The Atlanta Police Department has lost a child tonight, and the city of Atlanta has lost a child.” The chief’s words captured the collective grief and outrage of a community where a dispute between adults escalated to the point of endangering and ultimately destroying an innocent young life.