By Joe Johnson
Two girls were injured Wednesday afternoon when gunfire erupted at an Athens shopping center.
A 14-year-old girl was shot in the arm, police said, and a 5-year-old girl was struck in the face by an undetermined projectile.
“At this time, it is unclear if the injury was the result of a gunshot wound, bullet fragment, or shattered glass,” according to a police news release.
A witness said that the younger victim had been shot in the eye.
"I took her from her mom, and an officer and I took over stopping the blood. Within three minutes EMS took over," Fredrick Sunley said. "I spoke with this little girl and comforted her and her mom."
According to witnesses, the incident at Athens Plaza on North Avenue apparently began as a fight at a barber shop that made its way outside.
When shots were fired, they said, bullets or ricochets entered a dance studio where the victims were injured.
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved in this incident. Contact Detective Paul Johnson at 762-400-7060 or paul.johnson@accgov.com.
Anonymous tips can be made by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 706-705-4775.