Kennedy Maxie was just 7-years-old when she died from injuries after being shot in the back of the head while coming home from Christmas shopping.
Maxie was with her family at the Phipps Plaza mall in Buckhead, Georgia, when she was struck in the back of the head by a stray bullet.
Maxie was ready to head home after wrapping up shopping on December 21.
She was in the car with her mom and aunt. The aunt then informed police she heard gunfire while driving near the mall on December 21.
But it wasn’t until Kennedy was acting strangely that the aunt realized her niece had been shot.
RELATED: 7-Year-Old Girl Dies After Her Heart Stops Just 1 Minute Into Routine Tonsillectomy
She noticed how the 7-year-old had been struck and quickly drove her to Children’s Healthcare at Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Once she arrived at the hospital, she was taken into emergency surgery.
Maxie remained in critical condition until her death. CrimeStoppers was offering $10,000 for any information on who might have committed the horrendous crime, but that was raised to $15,000 by prominent local lawyer Jackie Patterson.
“I thought it was unbelievable to think a 7-year-old child would be riding with a parent on Peachtree and randomly get shot,” Patterson told the news station. “It’s a parent’s worse nightmare to think their child is in the hospital during the Christmas season.”
Police were able to identify a suspect: 24-year-old Daquan Reed of Virginia.
Police say Reed got into an argument at Saks Fifth Avenue, WSB-TV reported. He left the parking lot in a huff and fired off gunshots “in a senseless act of rage,” according to lead investigator Lt. Pete Malecki.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms revealed how she spoke with Kennedy’s mother and grandmother, who were beyond upset over the little girl’s passing.
“She couldn’t stop crying. She said repeatedly her baby didn’t deserve that. In my conversations with her grandmother after she passed, they didn’t even know what funeral home to call. Her family has been in Atlanta for 20 years and never had to bury anyone,” Bottoms said.
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.