Left: Preston Smith. Right: Steven Richardson. Middle: Zoey Price (Atlanta police).
Nineteen-year-old Preston Smith and seventeen-year-old Steven Richardson have been charged with murder, attempted murder, and three counts of aggravated assault following the fatal shooting of young Zoey Price.
Police were called shortly before 10 p.m. on February 24 to investigate a shooting on the 2200 block of Tiger Flowers Dr. NW. Upon arrival, officers discovered Zoey and her mother with gunshot injuries. The victims were quickly transported to the hospital, where Zoey was pronounced dead, while her 44-year-old mother survived the ordeal.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed his sorrow over the loss, stating that Zoey was “a little girl who should still be with us.” Family members fondly remembered her as a joyful and caring child.
Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Prenzinna Spann told reporters Tuesday at a press conference that Smith and Zoey”s brother were speaking on the phone when they got into an argument. Smith allegedly threatened to shoot up the brother’s home. The defendant then picked up Richardson and they drove to the Price home where they opened fire as they drove by, Spann said.
“She was just a delightful kid to be around,” Mayor Dickens noted.
“She was just a fun kid to be around,” he said.
Zoey participated in the city’s cheerleading and basketball programs.
“She was doing what kids her age do and what they’re supposed to be doing, building friendships and growing up learning about teamwork,” Dickens said. “Her life was cut short in an act of senseless violence. And that loss is not abstract. It is a chair that is going to be missing at the dinner table each night. It is an empty classroom seat next to her friends that are going to be mourning the loss with her teachers, her classmates and the rest of the school.”
Richardson was arrested on Thursday while Smith turned himself in to police on Tuesday, cops said.
