DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The family of a woman killed at a Popeyes restaurant earlier this week said she died just two weeks after her wedding.
Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes spoke to the family of Alisha Watkins-Stephens, who call her a "real angel who was good to everybody." Through tears, Watkins-Stephens' sister, Teresa Dean, said, "she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time."
The shooting happened at a Popeyes restaurant on Panola Road in DeKalb County around 9 p.m. Monday.
DeKalb police told Channel 2 Action News three people were shot and were all initially listed in critical condition. Police confirmed around 11:30 p.m. that Watkins-Stephens died.
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Dean said she is still trying to figure out why 19-year-old Carlos Rodriguez shot and killed her sister and shot her sister's husband several times.
"It's scary, ya know? You never know what tomorrow will bring. I never thought Monday would’ve been the day I’d get a call from homicide saying something happened to my sister," Dean said.
She leaves behind three children who don’t understand why the shooting happened.
"The 14-year-old is really taking it hard but she’s a spitting image of my sister," Dean said.
Watkins-Stephens' husband is still in the hospital being treated for his wounds.
Dean admits it's been difficult for her to grieve because all she’s been worried about is how she’s going to bury her sister
"I tried to explain to her kids that I don’t have money. Her daughter wants her to be buried and I tried to tell her I don’t have the money to do that," Dean said.
A GoFundMe account has been created in Watkins-Stephens' honor. To donate, click here.
The shooting is still under investigation.
These newlyweds were at Popeye’s on Panola Rd in Lithonia when someone shot both of them. Alisha didn’t make it, & Michael is at the hospital with several gunshot wounds. One near his temple & 1 under his tongue. I spoke to relatives. Story at 4 on Ch2 pic.twitter.com/6339umzo0P
— Tyisha Fernandes (@TyishaWSB) October 26, 2018
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