Piedmont Park felt like a celebration all day Saturday, but by nightfall it was a scene of heartbreak. At about 9:00 p.m., Atlanta police raced to the park after reports of gunfire and found two teenage girls hit by gunshots near the park’s far west end.
Officers discovered a 15‑year‑old with a shoulder wound first. She was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital and is listed in stable condition. While officers secured the area they found a second victim, a 16‑year‑old later identified as Tianah Robinson of Riverdale. Despite attempts to save her, Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say the shooting does not appear tied to the permitted 404 Day festival that ran on the park’s east side and wrapped up around 7:45 p.m. Instead, investigators believe an unpermitted gathering farther west in the park is where gunfire erupted. Homicide detectives have taken over the case and are piecing together what happened.
No suspects have been named and no arrests reported. Authorities have not determined a motive and say it’s unclear whether either teen was specifically targeted. The crime scene was large enough that multiple park entrances and nearby streets were briefly closed while investigators worked and searched the grounds with flashlights and K9 units.
Relatives, friends and onlookers gathered near the closed 10th Street entrance as police worked through the night. The city’s 404 Day celebrations — named for Atlanta’s original area code — drew crowds earlier in the day, but police stress the permitted festival on the opposite side of the park appears unrelated to the shooting.
Investigators are urging anyone who attended the unpermitted gathering or who may have photos or video to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the Atlanta Police Department or Crime Stoppers as detectives continue the active investigation.
