7-year-old in critical condition after hit by bullet in shooting near Phipps Plaza

ATLANTA — A 7-year-old girl remains in critical condition after Atlanta police say she was shot while riding in a car Monday night.

The girl’s aunt told police they had been driving past Phipps Plaza on Peachtree Road before 9 p.m. when she heard several gunshots.

They continued to drive and as they were on Interstate 85, the aunt noticed her niece wasn’t feeling well. That is when she realized the 7-year-old had been shot and took her to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.

Doctors took the girl into surgery and she remains in critical condition. Atlanta police are expected to give an update Tuesday afternoon.

Stay with Channel 2 Action News for updates on this developing story.

City leaders say this is just another example of the crime running rampant in Buckhead recently.

District 3 City Councilman said this shooting highlights the need for a comprehensive security plan.

RELATED STORIES

• Police say most Lenox Square shooting suspects aren’t from Atlanta
• Man ‘adjusting his pants’ causes gun to go off inside Neiman Marcus, sends shoppers running
• Lenox Square to add metal detectors, K-9 units to beef up mall security

District 7 City Councilman Howard Shook released this heated statement after Monday night’s shooting:

“Last night, a dispute between two parties resulted in the shooting of an innocent 7-year-old girl. We pray for her and her family. I lack the words to adequately convey the despair and anger so many of us feel about this latest and most painful example of the utter lawlessness that defines what it means to live in Atlanta.

It is obvious that the civilian authorities do not control the streets and cannot provide even a token feeling of safety beyond our front doors.

To the administration, I don’t want to hear the word “uptick.” Stop minimizing our concerns by telling us that “crime is up everywhere.” Spare us from the lie that the steady outflow of our officers isn’t as bad as it is. And please, not another throw-away press conference utterly devoid of game-changing action steps.

It will take a lot to turn this around. But here, in descending order, are the three things we need to begin: 1). Leadership; 2). Some Leadership; 3). Any leadership.”

President of the Buckhead Coalition released this comprehensive security plan, saying they need business and resident support and donations to make it happen.

Lenox Square recently announced plans to add metal detectors after several shootings on mall property.

Lenox Square to add metal detectors, K-9 units to beef up mall security The owner of the mall said it has made significant investments in the mall, including cameras and an Atlanta Police substation on the property.

Cox Media Group