What began as a routine delivery ended in unimaginable tragedy for a Georgia family.
Eboni Anderson, a 34-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed on Tuesday, Feb. 10, while delivering for DoorDash outside Palmetto Elementary School, according to local reports.
Police responded to reports of gunfire shortly after 11 a.m., triggering a “hard lockdown” at the school, 11 Alive reported. Officers arrived to find Anderson’s body near the front of the building, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
A school staff member reportedly pressed an emergency alert button to notify the school community, WSB-TV reported. While no students or staff were injured, more than 550 children were relocated to Bear Creek Middle School for the remainder of the day as a precaution, per Fox 5 Atlanta.
Authorities later identified the suspect as Christopher Loris Ates, 39. According to WJCL, he was captured following a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed on Highway 96 near the Houston County and Twiggs County line.
Online records reviewed by PEOPLE show Ates was booked into the Houston County Jail on multiple charges, including reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and second-degree cruelty to children.
WJCL reported that he also faces additional charges in Fulton County, where police are finalizing murder charges and seeking further warrants.
According to WSB-TV and WJCL, Palmetto Elementary principal Jacqueline Bowens told families in a message that officials believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute.
“While this is an incredibly difficult circumstance for our community, I want to reassure you that no Palmetto Elementary students or staff were involved, and at no time were individuals inside our building in danger,” Bowens wrote.
DoorDash also addressed the tragedy in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
“This is a tragic situation and our thoughts are with the Dasher’s loved ones. Our team is urgently investigating and working with law enforcement to help their investigation in any way possible,” a spokesperson said.
According to Atlanta News First, Anderson leaves behind 8-year-old twins and an 18-month-old child. Fulton County Schools confirmed to 11 Alive that she was a parent of students in the district, though her children did not attend Palmetto Elementary.
Her stepfather, Tariq Robinson, described her as a devoted mother.
“She was a great mother. She loved her boys. She did everything she could for them,” he told Atlanta News First.
A GoFundMe created to help with funeral expenses describes Anderson as a “beautiful, kind, and gentle soul.”
“Anyone who knew her knows the warmth and love she carried in her heart. We are heartbroken beyond words and are trying to process this unimaginable loss,” the fundraiser states.
Authorities continue to investigate the shooting.
Why is this evil man still walking
ATES YOUR GETTING THE DEATH PENALTY YOU PIECE OF HUMAN GARBAGE THE USA NEEDS TO EXECUTE THESE MURDERERS AN EYE FOR AN EYE IF THESE BASTARDS KNEW THEY WHERE GOING TO FRY THERE WOULD BE LESS MURDERS THE JAILS ARE FULL EXTERMINATE ALL LONG TERM MURDERERS WHAT IS THE POINT IN KEEPING THEM ALIVE IF IT WAS UP TO ME I WOULD BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY IN EVERY STATE CLEAR OUT ALL THE JAILS STARTING WITH THE MURDERERS DIRTY FILTHY PEADOPHILES & CHILD MOLESTORS
Unbelievable!!
If this country truly valued human life, it would utilize the capital punishment sentence already on the books.