A mother of three was fatally shot outside a Georgia elementary school while she was delivering food, with local authorities suspecting that the incident was linked to a domestic dispute.
Per FOX 5 Atlanta, the deceased victim, identified as Eboni Anderson, was gunned down outside the Palmetto Elementary School in Fulton County on Tuesday morning.
In the aftermath of the incident, a “hard lockdown” was ultimately executed by officials. Anderson’s body was also found outside the school by responding officers.
The number of children inside the school at the time of the shooting was said to be over 550. Authorities also said that neither the students nor staff sustained any injuries. The children were ultimately dismissed for the day after they were moved to Bear Creek Middle School.
Authorities ultimately traced the suspected shooter to Middle Georgia. The Warner Robins Police Department said that the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Christopher Loris Ates, was arrested by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office after he crashed the vehicle he was driving following a pursuit.
Ates faces a slew of charges, including reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and second-degree cruelty to children. At the time of this report, he was additionally facing charges in Warner Robins and also awaiting charges in Fulton County over Anderson’s killing, authorities said.
Anderson’s family said that she and Ates got into a relationship after they met online. They stated that Ates and her 17-month-old son were inside the car when she arrived at the school to deliver the food on the morning of the fatal incident, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
Anderson was also the mother of 8-year-old twin boys, with her family saying that there was no link between the deceased victim and the school.
Anderson’s family said that Ates was homeless and an ex-convict. They further said that they felt Ates was having a negative impact on her life.
Tariq Robinson, who is Anderson’s stepfather, said that his stepdaughter was a weapon owner, and she had it in her possession while performing door-dashing duties. Robinson said he suspects Ates gunned Anderson down with her own weapon.
Palmetto Elementary Principal Jacqueline Bowens informed families in a letter that authorities suggested the fatal incident was linked to a domestic dispute that was brought to the school’s premises. She also told parents that everyone inside the building was not exposed to any danger, adding that staff implemented the required safety procedures.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up to help raise funds for Anderson’s funeral expenses.
“Our family is devastated by this tragic loss of Eboni. She was a beautiful, kind, and gentle soul. Anyone who knew her knows the warmth and love she carried in her heart,” the fundraiser states. “We are heartbroken beyond words and are trying to process this unimaginable loss.”
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