Tragic Shooting Outside Palmetto Elementary School in Atlanta: Community Mourns Eboni Anderson
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Atlanta community is reeling after a deadly shooting outside Palmetto Elementary School on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The incident prompted a hard lockdown at the school while authorities launched a criminal investigation into the tragedy.
Law enforcement and emergency responders arrived at the scene after reports of gunfire near the school. Aerial footage captured by ANF’s First Alert Chopper showed a body covered with a tarp outside the premises. The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Eboni Anderson by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. Anderson was a parent of a Fulton County Schools student, though her child does not attend Palmetto Elementary, and she was not a staff member at the school.
Fulton County Schools Police quickly identified the suspect as Christopher Loris Ates. Authorities report that Ates was involved in a vehicle pursuit that began after a Flock camera captured a car linked to a homicide in Fulton County earlier in the day near the intersection of Russell Parkway and Georgia Highway 41. Warner Robins police attempted to stop the vehicle, but Ates allegedly fled, initiating a dangerous chase that extended into Twiggs County.
The pursuit ended in Twiggs County when the suspect’s vehicle collided with a semi-truck, struck a bridge guardrail, and went down an embankment. Deputies reported that Ates attempted to flee on foot into the nearby woods but was apprehended shortly afterward.
During the recovery, deputies found a child inside the vehicle, visibly distressed. The juvenile was evaluated by emergency medical personnel and later taken into the custody of the sheriff’s office’s juvenile division to ensure their safety and well-being.
Authorities clarified that Ates was arrested on charges unrelated to the shooting at the time of his apprehension. Fulton County police are in the process of finalizing charges related to the murder of Eboni Anderson and are expected to issue additional warrants.
The shooting has left the local community shaken, particularly families at Palmetto Elementary. School officials emphasized that students and staff were unharmed during the lockdown but acknowledged the deep emotional impact of the incident. Counselors and support staff were made available to help students and faculty process the events of the day.
Eboni Anderson is remembered as a loving parent and valued member of the community. Friends and family describe her as compassionate, warm, and devoted to her children. Her sudden and violent death has left an indelible mark on all who knew her. The Fulton County community continues to mourn while seeking answers and justice for this senseless loss.
Law enforcement urges anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Fulton County Police Department. Meanwhile, community leaders and school officials are emphasizing the importance of safety, vigilance, and support for students, staff, and families affected by the tragedy.
This devastating event serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the need for communities to come together in times of grief, offering compassion, support, and solidarity to those impacted.
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