Reward up to $15,000 in 7-year-old girl's shooting

ATLANTA - A $15,000 reward is being offered for information in the shooting of a 7-year-old girl in Buckhead earlier this week.

The incident happened around Phipps Plaza on Peachtree Road on December 21.

According to Atlanta police, Kennedy Maxie was seriously injured while riding in a vehicle after an evening of Christmas shopping with family. Her aunt told investigators that she was driving along Peachtree Road when she heard several gunshots. The aunt continued to drive, and a short time later noticed that Kennedy was acting strangely. The aunt realized the little girl had been shot and drove to the hospital, police said.

She underwent surgery at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite where she remains in critical condition.

CrimeStoppers initially offered a $10,000 reward, which was increased to $15,000 thanks to a contribution from Attorney Jackie Patterson.

"I thought it was unbelievable to think a 7-year-old child would be riding with a parent on Peachtree and randomly get shot," Patterson said.

Patterson, a prominent attorney in Atlanta, said when he saw the news he couldn't just sit around.  

"I actually contributed $5,000 to Crime Stoppers. It’s a parents worse nightmare to think their child is in the hospital during the Christmas season," Patterson said.

Exact details about what happened haven’t been release but police believe the bullet came from an argument outside Saks Fifth Avenue.

Investigators don’t believe the family was the intended target.

Atlanta Police are searching through surveillance outside the store. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.

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