2nd arrest made in connection to stray bullet death of grandmother
Atlanta Police made a second arrest in the murder of an 81-year-old woman.
Police arrested Dominique Bryant. Police accuse him of firing the shot that killed Mildred Martin who was playing cards on her front porch. Investigators do not believe Martin was the target.
Police arrested another man, Johnny Avery, last week.
Both are being charged with felony murder. They are both expected to remain at the Fulton County jail.
Jail records show Avery is no stranger to police. He has lengthy arrest records in both Fulton and Henry counties, including theft, assault and now murder charges.
According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Avery served about three and a half years of a ten year sentence for a child molestation conviction in Henry County. He was released from prison in March 2015.
Vigil for beloved grandmother, 'auntie'
A neighborhood in northwest Atlanta was filled with song and prayer at a vigil after a stray bullet killed 81-year-old Mildred Martin while she was playing cards on her porch in the 900 block of Proctor Street around 11:15 p.m. Monday night.
Police said she was struck in the back by a stray bullet not believed to be celebratory gunfire.
She told us her cherished aunt was known as “auntie” to many, which is why they spelled it out in candles.
"I want to light the candles in memory of my aunt Mildred and I wanted the community to come out and support us in this vigil because it's not only her it could have been anybody sitting on that porch," said Sabrina Tucker, Ms. Martin's grandniece.
As the vigil was taking place just down the road on Proctor Street Atlanta Investigators set up crime tape. Family members earlier tried to get answers.
"I just want to know did this have anything to do with her," asked Sabrina Tucker of an officer on scene.
Police at the location did indicate the crime scene might be connected to the death of the elderly woman. Family members hope so.
"Well he said they're about to close the case. I hope they find who very did it," said Camilla Branford, another family member of Ms. Martin.
Branford said whoever pulled the trigger killed a woman who many said was always there for others.
"Anything they wanted she got it, she'd give it to you, food, money anything in this neighborhood," said Ms. Branford.
But now the woman known as auntie to so many is gone, the person who fired the bullet that killed her is unaccounted for.
"I'm still in disbelief I'm hoping this is a dream and I'll wake up and it'll be all over," said Sabrina Tucker.
Police are hoping a $2,000 Crime Stoppers reward will help lead them to the shooter. Anyone with information is asked to call 404-577-8477.