ATHENS, Ga. — Police say a pregnant woman holding her toddler was hit by a stray bullet and killed outside an apartment complex in Athens Monday night.
It happened at the Clark Gardens apartment complex on Carriage Court around 9:30 p.m. Authorities confirmed to Channel 2 Action News the woman killed was 24-year-old Auriel Callaway, known to friends as "Thumpa."
Witnesses said a group of kids were arguing before adults got involved and someone started shooting.
Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes was in Athens Tuesday, where emotional family members gathered at a growing memorial.
Fernandes talked to Callaway's heartbroken sister, Standria Walker. Walker said that as soon as the argument started, Callaway grabbed her 3-year-old son, Mason, and ran toward her apartment.
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"She said, 'I'm fixing to go, y'all. I'm taking my baby in the house," Walker said.
She was hit by a bullet and collapsed near her apartment.
"She got hit with her son in her arms, and she's pregnant," Walker said. "That's my only sister. They took our baby away from us."
Callaway died at the hospital, along with her unborn child. She was four months pregnant. Mason was not hurt.
“All my sister did was take care of her son & the rest of our family.” I spoke to the family of a pregnant woman killed by a stray bullet. She was holding her 3 y/o son Mason when she was shot. He wasn’t injured, but Ariel Callaway & inborn Baby does. 5pm Ch2 pic.twitter.com/2o7o8tryB7
— Tyisha Fernandes (@TyishaWSB) July 23, 2019
Walker said her sister never got involved with any nonsense.
"She was beautiful," Walker said. "She had a heart of gold. She would give when she didn't have it. All she cared about was her son. I want y'all to know you took away a mother, a sister, a daughter."
Family members now want police to figure out who fired the deadly shot so they can get justice.
Eight people were taken into custody for questioning but have since been released, Athens-Clarke County police said in a statement Tuesday.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
"Somebody gonna pay for this," Walker said.
Cox Media Group
