ATLANTA — A large pile of cash, not a North Carolina woman, may have been the target of a gunman inside an upscale Buckhead apartment, police revealed to Channel 2 Action News on Tuesday.
Police said Zaquavia Kingsberry, 33, was found dead in a fourth-floor apartment at the Gramercy at Buckhead Apartments in the 3300 block of Roswell Road on July 14.
Detectives believe someone saw the cash on a desk inside the apartment while Kingsberry and a friend were visiting the building, according to Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne.
Two men in the apartment left, and the man who saw the cash broke in to steal it, not knowing Kingsberry was there, Detective Kevin Otts told Winne.
"We believe the suspect after being startled by Zaquavia, not believing anybody was in the apartment, shot and killed Zaquavia Kingsberry," said Otts.
The renter of the apartment talked to Winne, but wished to remain anonymous.
"At the end of the day, it shouldn't have been her. At the end of the day, in my heart, it's like a beautiful lady got killed for no reason. She did nothing," he told Winne.
Otts said Stephen Smith is the only person who passed through the apartment on July 14. Police haven't accounted for Smith and they would like to question him, Otts said.
"Smith had a relative in the building that he would visit quite often," said Otts.
"I think its imperative that we talk to Stephen Smith. He has not come forward. We've tried to contact him by cell phone, he would not return our calls. Frankly we have no idea where he's at or if he's even in the state of Georgia," said Otts.
Otts told Winne police have dismissed any talk of a love triangle. They do not believe the renter of the apartment or a man in the home at the time had any romantic involvement with Kingsberry.
Police urged anyone with information about the killing to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477. Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward.
Previous Stories: July 15, 2010: Homeless Shelter Manager Found Shot To Death July 14, 2010: Woman Found Shot To Death In Buckhead