Clayton News Daily

JONESBORO — By Elaine Rackley

erackley@news-daily.com

JONESBORO— A toddler was shot Wednesday morning while riding in the car with her family, said Clayton County police.

Lt. Chris Windley said police responded about 11:14 a.m. to a call about a person shot call at Ga. 54 and Town Gate Boulevard.

“The mother said she and her four children were traveling on Highway 54 when she heard a pop,” said Windley. “She looked back into the back seat and saw that her 4-year-old daughter was slumped over. She had been shot while she was in the car seat.”

Windley said the mother stopped the car and called 911. While waiting for help to arrive, she tried to render aid to her daughter.

Clayton County fire Capt. Walter Barber said medics stabilized the child, who had been shot in the head, before she was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston Hospital.

The mother first thought the car had been shot at from outside, said Jonesboro police Chief Franklin Allen. However, Windley said the investigation showed the shot came from inside the car.

“The shot came from inside the car,” he said. “She was shot inside the vehicle.”

Allen said he understands one of the children picked up a gun and fired it inside the car. He had no information on who the gun belongs to.

Windley said the family is from Jonesboro but police are not releasing the name of the victim or her family.

“No charges have been filed at this time,” said Windley. “ The incident is still under investigation.”

Senior reporter Kathy Jefcoats contributed to this article.