Inset: Sabrina Walker. Background: Police in Douglasville, Georgia, investigate her death, allegedly at the hands of her husband (WAGA).
Cops in Georgia say they shot an armed man who killed his wife a day before her birthday — just as she was set to open a newly renovated barbershop.
Volanta Lejuan Walker, 51, has been accused of fatally shooting 56-year-old Sabrina Walker in Douglasville, located roughly 20 miles west of Atlanta. According to a press release by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the incident occurred during an argument at their residence. Sabrina Walker reportedly fled outside, where her husband is alleged to have pursued and shot her.
Officers from the Douglasville police arrived at approximately 9:30 p.m. to find Sabrina Walker lying on the ground. Despite their calls for Volanta Walker to disarm, he allegedly aimed the weapon at them, leading an officer to shoot him, as noted in the press release. Paramedics transported Volanta Walker to the hospital, while Sabrina Walker was pronounced dead at the scene.
Although formal charges of murder have yet to be filed against Volanta Walker, GBI agents are conducting an investigation into both the homicide and the officer-involved shooting. The results will be submitted to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for further review.
Sabrina Walker was set to celebrate her 57th birthday on Sunday and open her newly renovated barbershop, Groomsmen Atlanta, according to her family speaking with local Fox affiliate WAGA. In the wake of the tragedy, the family proceeded with the grand opening in her memory. She had owned the barbershop since 2009 but had recently undertaken a remodel and expansion.
“It feels like somebody is missing,” her daughter, Anesha Nixon, expressed to the TV station. “It really feels like her presence needs to be here — her bubbly, her running around talking to people. It doesn’t feel right. It feels like she needs to be here.”
Another daughter, Michaella Barnswell, said opening the barbershop is what her mother would have wanted.
“My mama put her blood, sweat and tears into this business, and we’re going to outlive her legacy,” she said.
