Vigil Planned For Woman Fatally Shot By Police

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The family of a Johns Creek woman who died last month in an officer-involved shooting will hold an interfaith memorial this weekend to honor her memory. The memorial for Shukri Ali Said will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at Ocee Park at 10900 Buice Road in Johns Creek.

Said, a Somali-born American citizen diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, was armed with a knife when she was shot by Johns Creek officers the morning of Saturday, April 28. Her family called police to get help for Said, who was in the midst of a mental breakdown at the time of the shooting.

Said's family has also released photos of the 36-year-old, who moved with her family from California to Johns Creek in July 2016.

"We thank the community for their outpouring of support for Shukri and her family," said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia), which represents the Said family alongside The Awad Firm. "Although the family has sought to maintain privacy as they mourn Shukri, they want to give the community a chance to remember Shukri and call for change."

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During the interfaith vigil, community leaders and local residents will share their thoughts, concerns and condolences. Along with memorializing Shukri, speakers plan to discuss relevant issues, including ways that families, communities and law enforcement can properly help people suffering from mental illness.

CAIR-Georgia and The Awad Firm are representing family to determine how and why the shooting happened, and whether Shukri's civil liberties were violated.

CAIR-Georgia said the family, so far, is "satisfied" with the investigation led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, as the agency has kept family members abreast of any developments in the case. The GBI has also "pledged to allow the family to view any available footage of the shooting as soon as the investigation permits," CAIR added.

Images via CAIR-Georgia