A drive-by shooting outside Gus Thornhill Funeral Home in East Point tragically interrupted a wake last Friday evening, leaving a 55-year-old woman dead and another individual with minor injuries. The victim, later identified by her family as Ina Chambers, was reportedly at the funeral home to attend her daughter's grandmother's wake when the incident occurred.
According to the FOX 5 Atlanta report, the shooting involved multiple suspects who opened fire on the property. The family friend said, noting the disbelief over such violence occurring in what should be a sacred place, "This is the last place you’d expect things like this, but that’s the state of the nation." Witnesses said they heard rapid gunfire followed by screams, as reported by 11Alive, with a woman crying out for help, pleading that her mother had been shot.
East Point Police Chief Shawn Buchanan, in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, referred to the incident as a "senseless act of violence," assuring families that "Our team will not rest until justice is served." Mayor Keisha Chapman echoed Buchanan's call to action, urging community members to aid the investigation by coming forward with any relevant information.
The police are still searching for the suspects involved in the shooting, with the area around the Gus Thornhill Funeral Home cordoned off as the investigation continued. A white tent set up outside the building marked the spot where Chambers was tragically killed, just feet from the front door. Neighbors said the funeral home had been busy throughout the day, making the sound of gunfire even more shocking, considering the somber events taking place. Family members described the victim as a well-known and deeply loved member of the southeast Atlanta community.
Investigators are working diligently to determine who is responsible for this terrible act, as noted by Chief Buchanan, "During those wakes, some people sat here as cowards, waited for a particular family, and start shooting at them," in a media update on the investigation obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.
