A tight-knit community is reeling after police arrested a mother suspected of fatally shooting her 17-year-old daughter inside their home late last year, in a tragedy that shocked neighbours and left families desperate for answers.
According to law enforcement sources, officers responded shortly after 5 a.m. on Dec. 28 to reports of gunfire at a residence on the 2600 block of West 38th Street in Anderson.
Responding officers found the teen suffering from a gunshot wound; she was rushed to a local hospital but later died from her injuries.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the victim has been identified as 17-year-old Tianna Harris. Her mother, whose identity has not been released publicly, was taken into custody at the scene and remains held as authorities investigate the circumstances that led to her daughter’s death.
Neighbours say they were jolted awake by the sound of gunshots and rushed outside, only to find police securing the quiet residential street. One resident told reporters the incident was “scary” and “something no one expected,” expressing deep sympathy for the family’s unimaginable loss.
Preliminary Findings and Legal Process
Madison County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said early information suggests the shooting may not have been malicious or intentional.
Police believe the teenager may have left the home during the night and returned early in the morning, startling her mother—an initial detail investigators are exploring as part of their ongoing review.
Authorities have not yet released formal charges or detailed motives as they continue gathering evidence and forensic analysis. A decision on specific charges will be made once prosecutors complete their review.
A Family’s Devastation
The fatal shooting has left families and the broader community searching for comfort and answers.
“I can’t imagine. I have two daughters of my own,” Prosecutor Cummings said, speaking to the emotional weight of a parent losing a child. “There’s no way to pull that bullet back once you pull the trigger.”
Community advocates and neighbours have called for calm and understanding as the investigation continues, emphasising the need for transparency and support for those affected by this deeply tragic event.
As authorities work to piece together the details, the community remains united in mourning the loss of a promising young life cut short and seeking justice for Tianna Harris.
