Vigil Held for Slain Couple, Woman Gives Birth Before Death

Friends and family members held a vigil Thursday night for a murdered couple kidnapped outside their DeKalb County home and shot while handcuffed in northwest Atlanta.

WSB-TV reports that 24-year-old Jeronta Brown was killed, but 21-year-old Briana Brooks initially survived Saturday’s attack. Brooks, who was pregnant, was removed from life support Thursday and died, but her baby survived.

Investigators say Brown and Brooks were returning to their DeKalb County home at around 12:30 a.m. Saturday when they were abducted, handcuffed, and thrown into a van by an unknown number of kidnappers.

The two were then driven to Ridge Avenue, removed from the van, and shot while still handcuffed. Police do not yet have a description of any of the kidnappers.

The Fulton County Medical Examiners’ office says Brooks’ organs were donated.

The baby girl that she was carrying survived.

“It is a blessing she survived. I just hate that he is not going to be here,” Brown’s stepfather, Calvin Reddick, told WSB. He wonders if his stepson was targeted because the family recently received a large settlement check.

»Briana Brooks and Jeronta Brown were kidnapped and shot last week. A vigil for the slain couple was held Thursday evening. Credit: WSB screenshot