The East Point community is mourning the tragic and senseless loss of Ina Chambers, a 55-year-old woman whose life was cut short in a drive-by shooting Friday afternoon outside Gus Thornhill Funeral Home.
According to the East Point Police Department, the fatal shooting occurred near the intersection of Gus Thornhill Jr. Drive and South Bayard Street as several families gathered at the funeral home for scheduled viewings. Ina Chambers was standing near the entrance of the building when multiple suspects inside a vehicle opened fire, sending shock and terror through a place meant for mourning and remembrance.
Chambers had gone to the funeral home to drop off her daughter so she could attend a viewing for a family member. At the time of the shooting, four different families were inside or near the facility, honoring their loved ones. In an unimaginable turn of events, gunfire erupted, striking Chambers. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
A second woman was also injured during the shooting. She suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries and was treated by emergency medical personnel at the scene.
East Point Police Chief Shawn Buchanan described the incident as a “senseless act of violence,” extending condolences to the grieving families and vowing that investigators will continue working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.
“This is an outrage,” Buchanan said. “Cowardly individuals chose to commit such violence while families were at their most vulnerable.”
As police secured the area with crime scene tape, investigators combed the neighborhood for evidence while heartbroken loved ones gathered nearby, embracing one another in disbelief. Witnesses and friends said the emotional toll was overwhelming, especially given the location—a funeral home where peace and respect are expected.
Friends remember Ina Chambers as a pillar of the southeast Atlanta community, a woman deeply connected to South Atlanta High School, Fulton High School, and Walter F. Jones High School. She was known for her kindness, her presence, and the countless lives she touched. Those who knew her describe her as loving, selfless, and devoted to her family.
One close friend, Ken Lott, expressed disbelief that such violence could happen in such a place. He spoke of the heartbreak of losing someone who was simply there to support her family during a time of grief.
Authorities continue to investigate the shooting. No suspects have been identified, and the motive remains unclear, though witnesses reported a disturbance in the area shortly before shots were fired.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to mourn not only a life lost but also the profound cruelty of violence invading a space meant for healing. Ina Chambers’ memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, even as her family and community grieve a loss that should never have happened.
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