Homicide detectives are on the prowl in search of a murderer who senselessly took the life of a 15-year-old Georgia teen murdered while attending a high school party on December 3.
Laila Harris, who is from St. Louis but lived in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, had attended the party about an hour south of her home.
“We need your assistance to find justice for Laila Harris,” Sgt. Julia Issac with the Clayton County Police Department said at a news conference the Monday following her death.
She explained that an attendee at the party inside ECM Hall Rentals Near Me was ordered to leave the premises but he came back with an accomplice and “shot up the location,” Issac said.
Hundreds of partygoers fled the scene upon police arrival, reports say.
Sgt. Harris said police officials believe Harris was an innocent victim who was shot and they do not believe Harris was the intended target.
The family of Harris has created a GoFundMe to help cover expenses to bring her back home to St. Louis.
“With heavy hearts we request your prayers and any monetary gift would be appreciated in honor of Laila Renee’ Harris,” a statement on the page reads. “Sadly, she was tragically killed while attending a birthday party just doing what any fifteen-year-old likes to do, trying to have fun, and now we’ve lost her to a senseless act of violence.
Any donations will be put towards bringing her home to Saint Louis to be laid to Rest.”
Investigators are pleading with the public to come forward with any information they may have.
Harris’ death is one of many in a string of shootings involving children and teenagers across Atlanta, Mea Ballinger, a community activist advocating for an end to the gun violence told FOX 5 Atlanta.
“This is ridiculous. And I know the saying that you don’t want to snitch, it’s not about snitching. You’re saving someone’s life,” she said. “Some don’t want to hear it, but it starts at home. We need parenting. We need our teachers, our preachers, our educators to all come together.”
