Atlanta dad shares warning after 7-year-old daughter killed in crossfire

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2022

Atlanta dad shares warning after 7-year-old daughter killed in crossfire

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) – An Atlanta father issued a plea for assist and warning to oldsters after a robust daddy-daughter bond was shattered by gunfire.

Seven-year-old Ava Phillips was caught within the crossfire and killed at Camden Vantage Residences in Atlanta’s Outdated Fourth Ward neighborhood.

Her father, Jonathan Phillips, mentioned Ava was well mannered, stunning, and “might do all of it.”

“Ava was all the things I ever wished in a bit of woman,” mentioned Phillips. “Seemed identical to me, energetic – she’s the youngest, however she referred to as all of the photographs.”

Phillips mentioned he dropped off Ava along with her mom for a fast weekend keep. Saturday round 10 p.m. he acquired a devastating telephone name that Ava had been shot within the head and killed.

Monday, police arrested Kemeka Springfield, who Phillips mentioned is Ava’s mom. Springfield faces prices of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm throughout the fee of a felony.

Springfield waived her first courtroom look hours after her arrest.

Monday afternoon, police continued to seek for 23-year-old Deshon Collins, believed to be the one who fired the shot that killed Ava. Authorities mentioned the gunshots stemmed from a home dispute.

Phillips mentioned he by no means met Collins personally, however believed he was in a relationship with one other member of the family on the gathering.

A candlelight vigil is deliberate for Ava on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on the Camden Vantage Residences. Phillips has arrange a GoFundMe to assist with funeral bills.

“Lots of people love her. Lots of people miss her already,” mentioned Phillips. “She’s my child – I simply need to let her exit with a bang, let her know we love her.”

Ava was a second-grade scholar at Bouie Elementary. She liked the window seat on airplanes and taking part in ball along with her brothers.

She leaves behind a big household – together with six siblings.

As Phillips and his household band collectively in grief, he issued a warning to different mother and father in Atlanta.

“Love your youngsters. Be secure, defend them,” he mentioned. “You by no means know the final time you’re going to see them. Mine was presupposed to be gone for the weekend, and right here we’re.”

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Atlanta hosts college football fans for concerts, tailgate, family-friendly events

Published

3 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Atlanta hosts college football fans for concerts, tailgate, family-friendly events

Football fans having blast before CFP championship

Fans are having a blast even before the College Football Playoff National Championship, and some of them don’t even have tickets to the big game. The surrounding fan experience events keep them busy with concerts, food tastings and activities, fun for the whole family.

ATLANTA – The College Football Playoff National Championship kicks off Monday at 7:30 p.m., but there is so much more than the game to enjoy.

What we know:

Sunday was a celebration for college football fans.

Diamond-certified GRAMMY®-nominated pop singer, Camila Cabello headlined the Playoff Playlist Concert series, alongside British singer-songwriter and Apple Music’s Up Next Artist Myles Smith, and Nashville-based singer-songwriter and social media sensation Knox.”

Fans also had a blast at the all-day fan experience called Playoff Fan Central.

“I actually made a field goal, but I aimed for the wrong thing,” said fan Cam Watson, who laughed as he noted he’s not here for either team playing. “Go Dawgs!”

CFP Championship fan fest, concerts underway

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is already buzzing with excitement ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship game. On Monday, the Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Brian Meyerson and his buddy Mike Burton traveled to Atlanta without tickets to the big game.

“We have great expectations that the city of Atlanta is going to show us a great time,” said Burton.

What you can do:

The fan experience, which is free to all, is open Monday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Activities for kids and adults alike include a 40-yard dash, field goal kicking, a puppy adoption event, sponsor games and a mechanical bull to ride.

“We have so much for young kids and old adult kids, you name it we have it here!” said Hall.

Monday events begin at 10 a.m. inside the Georgia World Congress Center and outside Mercedez Benz Stadium. There is a tailgate experience including a pep rally and a performance by country singer Kane Brown.

“It’s free, it’s a holiday, it’s going to be cold, so you might as well come on down, be inside, and have so much fun all over again,” said Ryan Hall, Senior Director of Public Events and Sponsorships for the College Football Playoff.

Officials advise everyone to layer up for the cold, but to come out for the memories to be made.

“We’re ready, cold weather or not,” said Hall.

Local perspective:

This championship game is also helping bring in much-needed financial help for teachers and students in Georgia.

“About $1.5M dollars this year has gone back into education in Georgia,” said Hall.

The Source: This article is based on an original report by FOX 5 Atlanta’s Alexa Liacko.

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Atlanta, GA

Gwinnett County Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade canceled due to cold weather

Published

10 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Gwinnett County Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade canceled due to cold weather

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Gwinnett County has been canceled due to cold weather expected to move through Atlanta.

The Gwinnett County Democratic Party announced that the United Ebony Society made the decision.

The party said, “This decision was not made lightly, and was made to prioritize the safety of our community. We welcome you to honor Dr. King’s legacy in your own way and hope you stay warm!”

According to the Atlanta News First First Alert Weather team, it will be below freezing Monday morning and could be as low as 29 degrees at noon. Highs tomorrow are expected to be in the low 30s.

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