DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A night meant for celebration ended in heartbreak early Sunday morning when Kinaya Hightower, a young woman out celebrating her birthday, was fatally struck by gunfire near a gas station in DeKalb County. The incident occurred around 2:27 a.m. on the 3000 block of Moreland Avenue, according to the DeKalb County Police Department.
Responding officers arrived to find Hightower suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say Hightower was an innocent bystander, caught in the middle of a violent exchange that erupted during a car meet-up near the gas station.
Preliminary findings suggest that an argument between several attendees escalated into a shooting, sending bystanders scrambling for safety. Those involved reportedly fled before officers arrived. Investigators have since been reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, urging anyone with photos, videos, or information to come forward. So far, no arrests have been made, and police continue to describe the investigation as “open and active.”
In a statement, a DeKalb County Police spokesperson emphasized their determination to find those responsible. “Our goal is to bring justice for the victim and her family,” the statement read. “We are working diligently to gather every piece of evidence available.” Community members, still in shock, gathered later Sunday to light candles and share memories of Hightower, remembering her as a cheerful, loving woman whose life was cut short far too soon.
Residents in the area say large weekend car gatherings are common and often peaceful, but some have grown concerned about late-night events turning volatile. Local officials are now calling for increased police presence and community-based safety initiatives to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the DeKalb County Police Department’s Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477). As the investigation continues, Hightower’s family is requesting privacy while they mourn. Her death has left the community heartbroken — a painful reminder of how quickly joy can turn to tragedy.