Shanna Smith: Atlanta woman shot in head while driving
Shanna Smith, 24, was driving in Atlanta on a peaceful Thursday morning on her way from work when bullets pierced her windshield, shattering the glass and the world of those who knew her.
Smith's car careened off the road and into some bushes -- Atlanta police say her foot pressed against the gas pedal -- before crashing to a stop.
First responders would soon get a call about a BMW SUV on fire, smoldering in ruins just off the road. What they discovered was far more sinister than a run-of-the-mill fire. Her car was riddled with bullets.
Police now believe that Shanna Smith was shot at least twice in the head, the telling signs of a skilled marksman.
“All we have right now is that we noticed she was most likely behind the wheel of the vehicle when she got shot, and the vehicle kept going,” Atlanta police Maj. Adam Lee III said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “She lost control apparently and veered off the side of the road.”
Police found about 25 shell casings on the scene. What has police officials intrigued is that it looks like at least three different kinds of weapons were used, including a rifle.
While police have stopped short of calling it a target killing, they are investigating whether some of the shell casings could be from a previous shooting in the area.
“It’s too early to tell right now if she was a target or if she got caught in the crossfire or what the circumstances might be,” Lee told the AJC.
Police are desperately seeking answers so that they can relay information to the family. Tipsters can could earn a reward of up to $2,000 for an arrest and conviction for the person(s) who did this.
Smith's family has started a GoFundMe page to collect funds for her funeral expenses. The page says, "On August 4, 2016 a beautiful life was cut short due to gun violence. Shanna Smith was only 24yrs old and a single mother of a 4yr old son. She was a kind and loving young lady on Thursday morning Shanna was caught is a crossfire that left her dead with two bullets to the head. As we are still in shock and coming to terms with what had taken place we are in support of help for burial preparation."
Anyone with information about this cold-blooded murder is urged to contact Atlanta Police Detective S.R. Benton at 404-546-5417 or Greater Atlanta Crimestoppers at 404-577-TIPS.
