Two men charged in shooting death of 7-year-old Zoey Price

2 men charged in shooting of 7-year-old

Two teens have been arrested following the shooting death of a young girl. Atlanta police said the men accused had gotten into an argument with the girl's brother and shot up his home. 

ATLANTA - Two men have been charged in the shooting death of 7-year-old Zoey Price nearly a week after she was killed in her northwest Atlanta home.

What we know:

FOX 5 has obtained the arrest warrant for Preston Smith, who faces a long list of charges, including two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, second-degree criminal damage to property, third-degree cruelty to children, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

According to the warrant, Smith, 19, fired into a home on Tiger Flowers Drive NW around 9:40 p.m. on Feb. 24 while Zoey and her mother, 44-year-old Cassandra Ervin, were inside. Both were struck by bullets and rushed to the hospital; however, Zoey did not survive her injuries.

Police said the shooting stemmed from a phone conversation Smith had with Zoey's brother where he threatened to shoot up the house he was at. Smith and Preston then drove to the home and shot inside. 

Police said another man, Steven Richardson, 17, was also arrested in connection with the case. Richardson faces charges including murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, three counts of aggravated assault, second-degree criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, four counts of third-degree cruelty to children and possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18.  

The backstory:

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Police Chief Darin Schierbaum addressed the arrest on Tuesday afternoon. 

Schierbaum said the first arrest warrant was issued in the case on Thursday, with an arrest following Friday. 

Mayor Dickens addressed Atlantans, saying this case shows APD will not stop until crimes are solved. 

"The resounding theme from them is that Zoey was bright, but most importantly, she was compassionate and just a fun kid to be around," Dickens said. "Her life was cut short in an act of senseless violence. And that loss is not abstract."  

The mayor said APD had a 76.6% clearance rate in 2025, and he used that to warn people from turning violent.

"If you commit violent crime here in Atlanta. If you dare take anyone's life. We will find you," Dickens said.