Nationwide — Ina Chambers, a 55-year-old African American woman from East Point, Georgia, was shot and killed Friday while dropping her daughter off at a funeral. Police are still searching for the suspects who opened fire.
The attack occurred outside Gus Thornhill Funeral Home near Gus Thornhill Jr. Drive and S. Bayard Street. Chambers was standing near the entrance when multiple people in a vehicle began shooting, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. Another woman sustained minor injuries and received treatment on-site. At the time, four families were attending services inside the funeral home.
East Point Police Chief Shawn Buchanan called it a “senseless act of violence” and promised the department would pursue those responsible.
Chambers’ family confirmed she had been attending a wake for her daughter’s grandmother. Friends described her as a “pillar of the community,” known for her deep ties to local schools and hundreds of residents across southeast Atlanta.
“This is the last place you’d expect things like this, but that’s the state of the nation,” said Ken Lott, Chambers’ friend. “Man, this is crazy, it’s absolutely insane. This is a lady who was supposed to be going to a wake. You know?”
Officials said the shooting may have started from a prior neighborhood confrontation, though investigations are ongoing. Authorities cordoned off the area as they collected evidence, and both police and Mayor Keisha Chapman called on the community to provide tips.
“We ask that the community: step up. If they see something, please say something so that our Police Department can bring justice to the family,” the mayor said.