Atlanta: Two men arrested in shooting death of 7-year-old girl

Written by: KC Harrington

Published March 9, 2026 @ 8:47 AM ET

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Two teenagers have been charged in the shooting death of 7-year-old Zoey Price, nearly a week after she was killed inside her northwest Atlanta home.

Preston Smith, 19, faces multiple charges, including two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, second-degree criminal damage to property, third-degree cruelty to children, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to an arrest warrant.

Investigators allege Smith fired multiple rounds into a home on Tiger Flowers Drive NW around 9:40 p.m. on Feb. 24 while Zoey and her mother, 44-year-old Cassandra Ervin, were inside. Both were struck by gunfire and transported to a hospital. Zoey later died from her injuries.

Police said the first arrest warrant in the case was issued Thursday, with an arrest made the following day.

Authorities said the shooting stemmed from a phone conversation between Smith and Zoey’s brother, during which Smith allegedly threatened to shoot into the home. Police said Smith and another suspect then drove to the residence and fired shots inside.

Steven Richardson, 17, was also arrested in connection with the case. Richardson is charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, three counts of aggravated assault, second-degree criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, four counts of third-degree cruelty to children, and possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18.

City officials addressed the arrests Tuesday and described the impact of the loss on the community. Additional details are expected to be released during a scheduled press conference.

The investigation remains ongoing.