A 19-year-old mother was shot and killed in a burst of gunfire that erupted near Georgia State University, officials said.
De’Asia Hart, who aspired to become a lawyer and had a one-year-old daughter, was caught in the crossfire of a fight she was not involved in.
The incident took place outside a RaceTrac gas station in Atlanta when an argument among a large group spiraled into a shooting at around 5 a.m. on October 29, 2023. Hart, alongside three others who were also wounded, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. She died from her injuries on November 6, 2023.
The Atlanta Police Department released surveillance footage showing the moments leading up to the incident, in which Hart and the other victims were not participants in the initial dispute. The confrontation escalated rapidly, resulting in several shots being fired and striking the four people.
The shooting, which occurred near a bustling university campus, has heightened concerns about safety in the area. In response to the violence and growing apprehension among students, Georgia State University held a listening session to address campus safety and security measures. Enhancements have been implemented, including improved lighting, additional surveillance cameras, and the requirement of student ID cards for building access after 8 p.m.
Two Georgia State University students were among those injured in the shooting, according to a statement from the university president, M. Brian Blake.
In the aftermath, authorities are seeking the public’s help in identifying three persons of interest captured in the surveillance footage. One person, seen wearing a purple hoodie, retrieved a gun from a car and fired at two others dressed in black, who returned fire, leading to bystander injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.