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College-bound basketball star killed at friend's house, mom says
Sekya Smith's mother says she is devastated. Her daughter was killed while trying to mediate a problem between two others at a friend's house. Smith had a bright future ahead of her, according to her mom. She had already been accepted to Albany State University where she planned to play basketball.
ATLANTA - The mother of a graduating senior, 18-year-old Sekya Smith, is devastated after her daughter was murdered on Christmas Eve while reportedly trying to keep the peace.
What we know:
The incident happened just after 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve at a friend's house on Smith Street. Smith's mother said she had gone over to visit, as she usually did.
While at the friend's house, Smith was shot and killed.
Atlanta police are still searching for the shooter and have issued warrants in the case, but have not named the suspect.
Smith was scheduled to graduate from Carver High School in Atlanta on May 22. She had already been accepted to Albany State University, where she planned to play basketball.
What they're saying:
Smith's mother, Brittany Harp, said her daughter was trying to keep the peace between two individuals when she was killed. Her mother said she was not the intended target.
"I was devastated. This is the worst feeling I could ever in life … she was shot in her chest," Harp explained. "This is very, very, very painful. I don't understand."
Sekya Smith (Photo submitted by family)
What's even worse, Harp claimed everyone in the community seemed to know who killed her daughter, but the police had not made an arrest.
What's next:
The Atlanta Police Department Homicide Unit is investigating.
Deputy Chief Jason Smith told the Public Safety Committee that warrants had been issued in the case, but said he didn't believe any arrests had been made.
The Source: FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Aungelique Proctor interviewed Brittany Harp virtually for this report. Deputy Chief Jason Smith's input was extracted from an Atlanta City Council Public Safety Committee hearing.