FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — August 15, 2025 — Two young sisters, ages 8 and 13, are recovering after being shot Friday morning during a road-rage incident on Langford Parkway that has shaken the Fulton County community.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, the shooting occurred just before 9 a.m. near Sylvan Road after the children’s mother, driving a Toyota Highlander, was involved in a minor rear-end fender bender with another vehicle. Police said the woman attempted to flag down the other driver following the collision. Instead of stopping, the suspect allegedly opened fire toward her SUV, striking both of the girls inside.
The panicked mother immediately drove to a nearby gas station at Main Street and Knotts Avenue, frantically seeking help. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the woman screaming for assistance as her daughters were bleeding in the back seat.
Emergency crews responded quickly, and both children were transported to a local hospital. Officials said their injuries, while serious, are not life-threatening, and both girls are expected to recover.
Atlanta police launched a swift manhunt in the hours following the shooting. By Friday afternoon, authorities announced the arrest of 20-year-old Bennie McCoy, who is now in custody and will be booked into the Fulton County Jail. Police have not yet disclosed what charges McCoy will face, but they are expected to include multiple counts related to the shooting and endangerment of children.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, many of whom are calling for greater accountability for reckless drivers and stricter penalties for gun-related crimes on Georgia roadways. Community leaders expressed both relief that the girls survived and frustration that such violence occurred in broad daylight.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” one Atlanta resident said. “A minor fender bender should never escalate into gunfire, especially with children in the car.”
Atlanta police emphasized that they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether McCoy had any prior connection to the victims. Detectives are also reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and roadways to piece together the sequence of events.
The case has drawn widespread attention, both because of the ages of the victims and the brazenness of the crime. Channel 2 Action News reporter Cory James, who has been covering the story, reported heavy police presence at the gas station where the victims’ mother sought help.
As of Friday evening, both girls remain hospitalized but stable. Their names have not been released due to their ages. Their mother, though shaken, was not physically injured.
Authorities have urged drivers to remain calm and call police in the event of accidents or disputes on the roadway rather than attempt to confront other drivers.
“This incident could have been so much worse,” said an Atlanta police spokesperson. “Thanks to the quick actions of the mother and the medical response, these children survived. But we want to remind everyone—no situation on the road is worth a life.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and formal charges against McCoy are expected to be announced in the coming days.
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