Family mourns mother of 3 killed after fight escalates to triple shooting

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - A Georgia family is mourning a mother of three who was killed in a triple shooting just hours after celebrating her daughter’s birthday.

Lareon “Lay Lay” Brown, 26, was killed around 1:30 a.m. Sunday after Carrollton Police say a fight escalated to a shooting. She was a mother of three who family members describe as loveable and intelligent with a “million-dollar smile.”

“Lay Lay was the backbone to her family,” said Brown’s sister, Netorian Crawford. “Anywhere she was at, she made everybody smile. She’s joyful, cheerful, light. She’s just a down-to-earth person.”

On Saturday, just a few hours before Brown’s death, her entire family was celebrating her daughter Zynova’s birthday.

“Her momma is left with three kids to raise and no answers,” Crawford said.

Two other people, including Brown’s cousin, Kathy Cheeks, were injured in the shooting. A bullet is still lodged in Cheeks’ leg.

“I heard her saying somebody’s name over and over again, and I’m running. I didn’t get to look back,” said Cheeks through tears. “I didn’t get to see who took my sister’s life at the time.”

Police have arrested three suspects in relation to the triple shooting: 31-year-old Jamine Hutchinson, 26-year-old Zontavious Vaughn and 23-year-old Cyntez Worthy. They are all charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Brown’s family has set up a GoFundMe for help with the funeral costs.

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