National guard called in after 8-year-old killed

Georgia’s governor yesterday declared a state of emergency and authorised the activation of up to 1000 National Guard troops after a weekend of violence in Atlanta left five people dead, including an 8-yearold girl.

A statement from Governor Brian Kemp’s office says troops will provide support at certain locations including the Capitol and governor’s mansion, freeing up state law enforcement resources to patrol other areas.

“Peaceful protests were hijacked by criminals with a dangerous, destructive agenda. Now, innocent

Georgians are being targeted, shot, and left for dead,” the Republican governor said.

Sunday’s fatal shooting of Secoriea Turner, 8, prompted a US$10,000 reward for information as authorities searched for at least two people who opened fire on the car she was riding in near a flashpoint of recent protests.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms called for justice in Secoriea’s death during an emotional news conference with the girl’s griefstricken mother.

“Enough is enough. If you want people to take us seriously and you don’t want us to lose this movement, we can’t lose each other.”

Secoriea was slain during a particularly violent night in Atlanta on Sunday. Kemp’s office said that over thirty people were wounded by gunfire, including five dead, over the holiday weekend.

Authorities said Secoriea was in the car with her mother and another adult when the driver tried to drive through illegally placed barricades to get to a parking lot. Armed people blocking the entrance opened fire on the vehicle, striking it multiple times and killing the child, police said.