What started as a standard Tuesday evening commute on Interstate 75 turned into a deadly crime scene near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, after a 34-year-old woman was shot and killed on the busy freeway, Atlanta police said.
Officers found the woman in the northbound lanes near North Central Avenue and rushed her to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The shooting shut down multiple lanes on I-75 and choked traffic along one of Atlanta's main arteries during the tail end of rush hour.
What police say
Police responded just after 6:15 p.m. to reports of gunfire on I-75 north at North Central Avenue and located the wounded woman in the roadway, authorities told reporters. As of Tuesday night, investigators had not named any suspects and had not released a possible motive, according to WSB-TV.
Road impact and response
The Georgia Department of Transportation closed at least one lane while officers and emergency crews worked the scene, triggering hours of delays for drivers already packed onto the interstate, as reported by WSB-TV. The station reported the victim was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and initially listed in critical condition as investigators documented the scene.
Investigators canvassing the area
Detectives canvassed nearby businesses for witnesses and pulled surveillance footage from around the interstate while the scene remained active, according to The Georgia Sun. Police urged anyone who may have been driving through or near that stretch of I-75 around the time of the shooting to reach out.
How to help
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Atlanta Police Department's non-emergency line at (404) 614-6544. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477), per the Atlanta Police Department.
