ATLANTA — The family of a loving mother of four honored and celebrated her life just days after she was killed.
Courtney Reese was identified on Wednesday as the victim in a shooting earlier this week near Cleveland Avenue in Atlanta, leaving a family anguished after her younger sister was also the victim of gun violence just a few months ago.
Reese was 32 years old and left behind three girls, ages 13, 9 and 6, and an 11-year-old son.
Reese's family allowed 11Alive into their vigil to help memorialize the beautiful life they lost. Her older sister Lena said her sister's life was cut short too soon.
"She didn't deserve this. Her kids will miss her. Her sisters, her brother, dad James and mom Shiba. We're all going to miss Coco," Lena said.
The 32-year-old's infectious smile is keeping her grieving family's spirit high. Reese remembered Friday night with purple balloons, music, and love.
"She was a vibe. She was the life of the party. She was everybody's hype man, everybody's cook. She loved to make party food. Tonight, it's a party! It's a celebration like Courtney would've had any other day," Lena said.
On Tuesday night, Aug. 20, Atlanta Police officers responded to a shooting along Springside Drive, which runs parallel between Cleveland Avenue and Mt. Zion Road.
Officers found 32-year-old Courtney Reese outside on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. APD said despite life-saving measures, Reese died from her injuries. Flowers are now in the place she took her last breath.
On Wednesday, 11Alive's Cody Alcorn obtained a 27-second video clip from a Ring camera security system, which allegedly captured the deadly shooting. The video is too graphic to show, but what you see is a tall figure who appeared to be dressed in all white, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, walking up to Reese, who is standing outside a home.
You hear Reese in the video saying, "Please. I don't..." As she's pleading with the individual, you see the person raise his hands and shoot at point-blank range. The person fired at least 10 shots, even after Reese collapsed, before the person ran out of frame down the driveway.
Atlanta Police's homicide unit is investigating the deadly shooting, but as of Wednesday afternoon, APD hasn't updated the case with any details on a possible suspect.
Reese's family believes the suspect is a man who she was previously involved with and hopes police can catch him before any other innocent victim's life is taken.
"Her life was cut short, but the children still are here. They still have to be provided for," Lena said. "She was a great mother. We want them to have everything that we knew she was going to do for them."
Their life is now her legacy. That's why the family is raising funds to support their future and for Courtney's funeral services. You can help support them here.
Her aunt said Reese's sister was killed in a shooting just months ago in DeKalb County.
DeKalb County Police said 29-year-old Sametria Edwards-McCord was shot in the 2000 block of Chestnut Hill Circle in Decatur on May 24.
Police said there was a large crowd who gathered at a home for a repast for a family member. According to police, shots were heard from several houses down the street, and McCord, who was standing in the crowd, was shot.
McCord was rushed to the hospital, where she died from her injuries.
DeKalb County Police said that they have identified a 16-year-old suspect in the shooting but that he has not yet been arrested. Their family said the two shootings were not connected.
Anyone with information on either shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS(8477) or e-mail the anonymous information using the online form at www.crimestoppersatlanta.org.
The tip can result in a reward of up to $2,000 to the individual who supplied the information needed to solve the case.