Her family said the 25-year-old’s baby was also inside the car when she was fatally shot.
STONECREST, Ga. — A 25-year-old mother was fatally shot in front of her 7-month-old baby while outside a grocery store in Atlanta, Georgia. Her family said she was readying for a new chapter in her life before her death.
Shyla Cummings was shot and killed last week by Isiah Tarver, according to the DeKalb County Police Department. Her family said that the 7-month-old baby named Sariyah was inside the car when Shyla was shot.
Her family said Tarver had been dating the 25-year-old on and off for several years.
“Keep our family strong, all mighty God,” prayed Shyla’s dad, Roston Cummings.
Now, loved ones say, Sariyah will grow up without her mother, but they believe she will always carry a piece of Shyla with her.
“Her daughter is almost like Shyla 25 years ago. Same exact way. Adorable. Beautiful,” Roston said.
Roston and Shameeka Cummings say their daughter was killed as a result of domestic violence. They described Shyla as a loving mother and a young woman working toward her future with plans to attend nursing school starting in August.
“She was in the peak of her life, you know? Striving. She was the best. That was like my vacation partner and everything,” Shameeka said.
According to her family, Shyla loved being a new mother.
“Oh, she wanted a girl, and she got her wish. She was an excellent mom,” Shameeka said. “I think Sariyah came and even changed her and gave her, and she became more independent, and she became more responsible.”
Her father said, despite her independence, Shyla was still very much a “daddy’s girl.”
“She was my twin. Everything was just like me,” Roston said. “Her mother used to say me and her would get on her nerves.”
Now, the couple hopes other parents pay close attention if they believe their child may be experiencing domestic violence.
“Just be involved and pay attention and just be there for your child. That’s the best you can do,” Shameeka said.
Roston added, “Just always find out what’s going on in their day-to-day life. Their private life. That’s something I didn’t want to get involved in because it’s her private life.”
Authorities say Tarver is facing a malice murder charge and is being held in the DeKalb County Jail.