Georgia Tragedy: 9-Month-Old Baby Girl Shot to Death Outside Motel

A Georgia community is reeling after the unimaginable: a 9-month-old baby girl was shot and killed outside a Cobb County motel in what police believe was a senseless act of violence. The incident happened Tuesday night at the Budgetel Inn & Suites near the Atlanta Galleria, leaving a young mother screaming in horror as her daughter took her last breath.

The 911 Call That Changed Everything

Authorities say the mother’s frantic call came just before midnight. She dialed 911, her voice breaking, as she pleaded for help—her baby had been shot. Officers and emergency responders rushed to the scene, but by the time they arrived, it was already too late.

The infant, struck by a bullet that may not have even been intended for her, was declared “beyond lifesaving measures” at the scene. Witnesses described a mother’s cries echoing through the motel parking lot, her grief piercing the night air.

“A Baby… Gone in Seconds”

Witnesses, still shaken, shared heartbreaking details with investigators. Some recalled meeting the baby only days earlier.

“I just met the baby… she was so precious,” one woman said.
Another neighbor added, “She brought joy to my life. I don’t have babies around me anymore, and she made me smile again.”
Through tears, another admitted, “I blame myself. I still hear her little squeals. Her laugh. Her laugh.”

For many, it’s not just the loss of a child they’re mourning—it’s the sudden ripping away of light, innocence, and hope in the most brutal of ways.

Arrest and Charges

The investigation quickly led to the arrest of 22-year-old Ladarrius Brown, who has now been charged with felony murder in connection with the shooting. Brown is being held without bond in the Cobb County Jail.

Court records show a troubling history: theft, battery, weapons charges, and loitering. But this, police say, marks his most devastating crime—a baby’s life stolen in cold blood.

Detectives noted multiple bullet holes around the scene and are still working through evidence, including fingerprints and surveillance footage. Authorities believe additional arrests could be forthcoming as the investigation expands.

Violence Without a Target

Early indications suggest that the intended target may not have been the child or her mother. Instead, investigators believe someone else was the focus of the gunfire—and the infant was tragically caught in the crossfire.

This detail makes the crime all the more senseless. A baby’s life ended by a bullet that wasn’t even meant for her.

A Community in Mourning, A Call for Justice

The motel, a place usually passed by without much thought, has now become the center of a growing memorial. Flowers, stuffed animals, and candles line the spot where the baby was last held in her mother’s arms.

Neighbors, church leaders, and local advocates have spoken out, calling for an end to the cycles of violence that have claimed too many young lives. “This should never happen,” one community organizer said. “We owe it to this child, and to every child, to do better.”

Moving Forward

The Cobb County Police Department continues to investigate, urging anyone with additional information about the shooting to come forward. Detectives stress that justice for the baby—and peace for her grieving mother—depends on holding all responsible parties accountable.

For now, a mother is left shattered, her arms empty, her heart broken beyond repair. And a community is left with the question no one can answer: How could this happen?

Rest in peace, little one. May your memory push us all to fight harder against the violence that should never have claimed you.