ATLANTA — Atlanta police are interviewing witnesses and searching for the person who shot and killed a star high school basketball player on Christmas Eve.
Police said 18-year-old Sekya Smith died after someone started shooting at her friend’s home on the 1100 block of Smith Street in Southwest Atlanta Tuesday night.
“I broke down. I was in tears. I was in shock,” friend Derickey Waller told Channel 2′s Audrey Washington on Friday. “It’s hard knowing she’s not here anymore,” he added.
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Police said Smith, was a basketball standout at Carver High School and was visiting a friend when the shooting happened.
Paramedics rushed Smith to Grady Memorial Hospital where doctors pronounced her dead. Police have not released any details about a suspect or a motive for the shooting.
“I still don’t know what actually happened,” Waller said.
Waller said Smith was a part of the Blueprint 58 Youth Organization in Southwest Atlanta.
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At the organization, Waller said Smith studied, made friends, played basketball, and planned for her future. That future included attending Albany State University after graduation. She planned to major in criminal justice.
In a social media post, Carver High School Athletics asked for prayers from the community and wrote a message to Smith:
‘We love you and We’ll miss you,’ the post said.
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“Sekya was an outstanding person. Always brought joy and uplifted everybody,” Waller said.
Friends and family gathered at Pittman Park for a balloon release vigil in Smith’s honor on Friday night.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Crimestoppers at: (404) 577-8477
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