COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — A 14-year-old girl shot and killed during a Coweta County home break-in Tuesday night has been identified as Haley Adams.
Adams’ family pastor identified her Wednesday evening.
“We’ve had teens up here all day. They’re shattered. That was their sister. It really was,” Pastor Caleb Newberry said. “I would describe her as full of joy.”
The Coweta County Coroner’s Office confirmed her death to Channel 2 Action News on Wednesday morning.
Deputies said gunmen stormed into the house off Bethlehem Church Road at 9:27 p.m. and made demands.
The gunmen fired off several shots, one of which hit Adams in the back. She was rushed to Newnan Piedmont Hospital, where she later died.
Channel 2 Action News was at the scene all night and Wednesday morning as investigators placed evidence markers around the house.
Bullet holes could be seen in the front door and investigators found shell casings in the front yard.
Channel 2′s Tom Regan was in Coweta County, where deputies are searching for suspects who drove away from the house in a light-colored, four-door passenger car.
The Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video that shows a car pulling into the driveway, three people getting out and running to the house. The violent intruders then head back out to the car and one opens fire, shooting back at the house before the suspects jump in the car and speed off.
Police said they believe the home invasion was targeted.
“The door was forced open, kicked open," Col. James Yarbrough with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office said. “We believe they picked this home for a specific reason."
Investigators have not said if they know of a motive.
Next at noon: Take a close look... Coweta Deputies believe these 4 men are responsible for shooting a 14yr-old after breaking into a home. Officers say she was taken to the hospital & later died. That flash you see is the shooters firing off rounds. This is senseless violence. pic.twitter.com/6q1fYTZm65
— Kristen Holloway (@KHollowayWSB) February 12, 2020
Police are hoping someone recognizes the car and are working to track down potential witnesses in the neighborhood.
In the meantime, they are expressing condolences to the family.
“Our prayers go out to the family at this time,” Yarbrough said. “It’s very senseless that this was done.”
“I pray that whoever did this is found because she deserves justice,” Newberry said.
Anyone with information that could lead to the suspects’ arrests are asked to contact the Coweta County Sheriff’s Department.
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