A quiet early morning in unincorporated Decatur turned deadly Tuesday when gunfire ripped into a Peppertree Circle apartment, killing a 23-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child, authorities said.
DeKalb County officers were called to the 3300 block of Peppertree Circle around 5:15 a.m. and found the woman with multiple gunshot wounds, according to police. She was rushed to a hospital, where both she and the fetus later died.
According to CBS News Atlanta, the DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 23-year-old Shakiya Pridgen. The cause and manner of death remain under investigation. Investigators believe someone fired into the residence from outside, and CBS reports that autopsy results can take up to 90 days to complete. Officials have not released any information on possible suspects.
What investigators say
DeKalb County police say the investigation is active and that detectives are working to identify a suspect and determine a motive. For tips, the DeKalb County Police Department lists the Homicide/Assaults unit at 770-724-7850, a non-emergency line at 404-294-2911, and an option for anonymous tips through Tip411. As outlined by DeKalb County, people can submit anonymous tips by texting the keyword DKPD to 847411 or by using the department's mobile app. Authorities have not announced any arrests.
How to help
Investigators are still reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses as the case moves forward. The medical examiner's office will complete autopsy reports as part of its review, and those reports are not released while an investigation is pending. Anyone with information about the early-morning shooting is urged to contact DeKalb County detectives.
