Atlanta

19-year-old arrested for shooting, killing woman inside Atlanta McDonald’s, police say

ATLANTA — A 19-year-old woman has been charged with murder after a shooting inside a McDonald’s in southwest Atlanta on Wednesday left a woman dead.

Officers were called to the restaurant on Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. just before 2:45 p.m.

Police said the woman was shot during a fight with another woman that escalated to gunfire. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead from her injuries.

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The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Tamanika Woods. Her age has not been confirmed, but police said she is between 30 and 35.

Investigators have now confirmed that 19-year-old T’Niya Evans has been arrested and charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies and theft by receiving stolen property.

Police exclusively Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln that the gun Evans used was stolen from a car parked in a downtown parking garage about five miles from the McDonald’s. They did not comment on if Evans was the person who stole the gun.

NewsChopper 2 was over the restaurant on Wednesday afternoon, where the restaurant was roped off with crime scene tape and there were several police cars in the parking lot.

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Channel 2′s Courtney Francisco was at the scene, where she talked to a family member of the victim who said she was the mother of four children and she will be missed.

Evans is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail.

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Rachel Mitchell, a local McDonald’s owner and operator, released a statement to Channel 2 Action News on Thursday.

“We are deeply upset by the senseless act of violence that took place at our West End location yesterday. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones, and we have offered our full support to the Atlanta Police Department as part of their investigation. We’re directing any further questions to local law enforcement at this time.”

—  Rachel Mitchell

Atlanta police tell Lincoln that the gun Evans used is one of 1,848 guns reported stolen from cars this year.

“We really want to push that message to our viewers, stop, please, stop, stop, stop, leaving these firearms in cars,” said Major Peter Malecki.