7-Year-Old Girl Killed, Mother Injured in Atlanta Apartment Shooting

Authorities say the shooting stemmed from a dispute between individuals who knew each other.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 12:51pm

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A 7-year-old girl was killed, and her 44-year-old mother was wounded after gunfire erupted at an apartment in northwest Atlanta late Tuesday night, according to police. The mother is in stable condition, but the child later died from her injuries. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute between individuals who knew each other.

Why it matters

Gun violence involving children is a tragic and all-too-common occurrence in Atlanta, where the police department has reported progress in reducing overall gun crime but continues to face challenges with firearms ending up in the wrong hands. This incident underscores the ongoing need for solutions to address the root causes of gun violence in the city.

The details

Officers responded around 9:49 p.m. to reports of two people shot in the 2200 block of Tiger Flowers Drive NW. When they arrived, they found the 44-year-old woman and her 7-year-old daughter suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both were rushed to the hospital, but the child later died. Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the shooting stemmed from a dispute that began about 30 minutes before the gunfire erupted.

  • The incident occurred around 9:49 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The child later died from her injuries.

The players

Darin Schierbaum

The Atlanta Police Department chief, who provided details about the shooting and investigation at a press conference.

44-year-old woman

The mother of the 7-year-old victim, who was wounded in the shooting and is in stable condition.

7-year-old girl

The child victim who was killed in the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, that child has passed away. The Atlanta Police Department has lost a child. The city of Atlanta has lost a child.”

— Darin Schierbaum, Atlanta Police Department Chief (Press conference)

“We are going to arrest the individual that took a child from Atlanta through senseless gun violence. And you know who you are. Turn yourself in. When we come to your house with an arrest warrant, we are going to take you into custody.”

— Darin Schierbaum, Atlanta Police Department Chief (Press conference)

What’s next

Homicide investigators are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting and expect to make an arrest soon.

The takeaway

This tragic incident involving the death of a young child underscores the ongoing challenges Atlanta faces in addressing gun violence, despite progress made by the police department. It serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and prevent such senseless acts from occurring.