HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — We're learning more about how neighbors helped police come up with a plan to deal with a violent hostage-taker before he killed himself and two others, including his pregnant girlfriend, late Thursday.
The standoff started at a home in the Eagle Ridge subdivision in Stockbridge just before 11 a.m. Thursday. Around 12 a.m. Friday, officers stormed the house and found 39-year-old Sandra White, who was eight months pregnant, and her 16-year-old son, Arkeyvion, dead.
The gunman, Anthony "Tony" Bailey Jr., 47, was also found dead -- from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.
Channel 2's Matt Johnson spoke with one neighbor, who said she was eager to help when there was a possibility to rescue the teen from Bailey after officers saw White lying on the garage floor.
"Pretty much what (the officer) wanted to know was where the entry and exit points, all of the little areas inside the house, like the closet, things like that. I gave them a full diagram," Cherie Robinson said.
Robinson said she used to live at the house on Eagle Court where the standoff took place and gave SWAT officers a layout of the house. She said it pained her to be at the memorial Friday for the lives taken during the standoff.
"It's saddening and shocking at the same time," Robinson said.
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She said she did all she could Thursday to help police, with the hope that no one would be killed.
"It was good to be able to lend a helping hand," Robinson said.
Police body camera video shows how Bailey shot two officers as they prepared to enter the home.
Robinson said SWAT officers needed help to try to understand where Bailey may have tried to hide.
“It was right after they received the diagram that they decided to go ahead and go in the house,” Robinson said.
Bailey fired more shots at police at around 9 p.m. Thursday before, police say, he killed himself.
Now, neighbors say they want to focus on helping the victims’ family and focus less on the violence.
"This is pretty much a peaceful neighborhood," Robinson said.
Ultimately, the situation did not end how the community had hoped, but they continue to look for ways to help. On Saturday at 6 p.m., there will be a prayer vigil at Stockbridge City Hall for the victims' family.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family.
Cox Media Group
