ATLANTA — Atlanta Police are investigating after two women and one man were shot in the Mechanicsville neighborhood Saturday afternoon in what is being called a drive-by shooting.
Police said it happened around 5:20 p.m. at the intersection of Richardson Street and Windsor Street. The intersection is right next to the Dunbar Neighborhood Center, a recreational park with youth and social services programs.
The initial investigation indicates that the driver of a dark-colored sedan drove through the intersection and opened fire from the car which injured the three people. It's unclear if the shooting was targeted or random. All three victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Neighbors say, Saturday, the community was supposed to be celebrating Mechanicsville Day, but the shooting brought the festivities to a halt. Many tell 11Alive that they thought the gunshots were firecrackers.
Ayanna Pascoe grew up in Mechanicsville. She took off work to join in the fun and said she had plans to give out goodies.
"It was supposed to have been Mechanicsville Day," Pascoe said, "Innocent kids could have been out here, anything!"
There were dozens of kids outside as police investigated.
Pascoe describes one of the victims as "like an aunt." She calls her "Cyn," short for Cynthia, and said she's in her 60s. Police have not confirmed any identities.
"When it hits home, it hits differently. That lady, she's old," Pascoe said. "She shouldn't have had to get shot by a bullet that wasn't meant for her."
At least two vehicles near the Winsor Super Market were hit with stray bullets. There were shattered windows and flattened tires.
"Coming out here, minding her own business," Pascoe said. "And for someone to come over here and open fire at that store?"
The store owner tells 11Alive that there was no damage inside of the store, but there are bullet holes on the outside. A man in his sixties also says one of the bullets went through his windshield as he drove by. He wasn't injured.
We have covered several shootings in the Mechanicsville area this year:
• 9/4: Woman shot at gas station
• 6/5: Man shot dead at apartment complex
• 4/6: Man shot and killed on Cooper Street
• 3/27: Woman shot and killed on Ira Street
• 2/22: Children shot at playground
• 2/21: 10-year-old shot
"It's getting worse," Pascoe said. "They need to have police out here all the time, monitoring that store, monitoring the parks."
Pascoe said there is usually an officer patrolling the area, but wants to know when the violence is going to end.
"Because it has to stop, it makes no sense," Pascoe said.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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