The Douglasville community is reeling after the tragic death of 56-year-old entrepreneur and mother, Sabrina Willis (Walker), who was fatally shot outside her home just one day before she was set to celebrate the grand reopening of her long-running barbershop.
The incident unfolded on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2025, around 9:30 p.m. at the couple’s residence on Littlebrook Way. According to authorities, officers were dispatched following reports of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, they found Willis collapsed in the front yard, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Standing nearby was her husband, 51-year-old Volanta Lejuan Walker, reportedly holding a handgun. Police say Walker ignored repeated commands to drop his weapon and instead pointed it at officers, prompting one of them to fire, striking him.
Walker was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and remains under investigation.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed that an autopsy on Willis’s remains will be conducted to determine her exact cause and manner of death.
A Dream Cut Short
Those who knew Willis describe her as a vibrant, loving woman who poured her heart into her family and her business. She was a mother of four daughters — three biological and one she helped raise from childhood — and had spent more than a decade building her business, The Groomsmen of Atlanta Barbershop, located on Fairburn Road.
After years of dedication, Willis was preparing to reopen the barbershop’s newly renovated space on Sunday, Oct. 6, complete with fresh booths and private suites. It was supposed to be a day of joy and triumph — a testament to her hard work and resilience.
Instead, her family and community gathered that day in mourning.
Turning Grief Into Tribute
Despite the unbearable pain, Willis’s daughters made a brave decision: to hold the grand opening as planned, transforming it into a memorial celebration of their mother’s life and legacy.
“This was something she was really looking forward to,” said Jessica Barnswell, one of Willis’s daughters. “My momma put her blood, sweat, and tears into this business,” added her sister, Michaella Barnswell.
Friends, loyal clients, and neighbors packed the barbershop that day, not for haircuts, but to honor the woman who had spent years making everyone around her feel seen, valued, and cared for.
“She was a loving person. She showed up for people, so they’re going to show up for her,” said family friend Anesha Nixon. Another daughter, Shabrecka Polk, reflected on the power of community in the midst of heartbreak: “This really helps keep us going today because this was a really tough, tough day for us. This is what my mom would’ve wanted.”
A Disturbing Pattern of Domestic Violence
While the investigation continues, the case of Sabrina Willis tragically underscores a devastating reality — domestic violence remains one of the leading causes of death for women in the United States, particularly women over 40 who are in long-term relationships or marriages.
Experts say the combination of access to firearms and escalating domestic disputes continues to fuel deadly outcomes. According to national data, nearly 70% of domestic homicides involve a gun. Willis’s case fits that pattern all too painfully.
In Georgia alone, law enforcement agencies respond to thousands of domestic violence calls each year, yet advocates stress that early intervention, community awareness, and support systems remain underfunded and understaffed.
Seeking Justice and Healing
As of this week, no formal charges have been announced against Walker, though the GBI has confirmed its active involvement in the case. Authorities are expected to provide updates once Walker’s condition stabilizes and interviews can be conducted.
Meanwhile, Willis’s family has appealed for community support during this difficult time. Those wishing to assist can reach out at 404-702-2090.
For now, Douglasville mourns a woman who embodied hard work, compassion, and perseverance — a businesswoman who believed in second chances and whose life was taken before she could see her vision fully realized.
