ByWTOC StaffandBria Bolden|May 2, 2021 at 5:06 PM EDT - Updated May 3 at 11:58 PM
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - UPDATE: The victim of a shooting this weekend in Savannah has died, according to her family and the Savannah Police Department.
That victim has been identified as 22-year-old Latoya Latrice Jones. Savannah Police Department officials say the shooting occurred around 4 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Jefferson Street and West Victory Drive. They say the investigation began after Jones arrived at Memorial Health by private vehicle with serious gunshot wounds. Detectives say she was driven to the hospital immediately after being struck by gunfire.
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson was at the scene after police arrived and spoke with the victim’s family.
“Obviously it’s unconscionable. It’s unreasonable. It’s unfathomable. Just to be in the midst of that type of pain and family remembers and things. It just reminds us how important it is for us to make sure if we see something say something and do all we can to stop gun violence in our city”, said Mayor Johnson.
WTOC has learned that Jones was pregnant and related to Savannah Alderman Detric Leggett.
“We should be able to hear music and laughter from kids not sirens and gunshots and things like this. This is not the second district. This is not to the city of Savannah,” said Leggett.
Family members of Latoya Jones say they want our community to know she was a good person and had a bright future ahead of her.
“She was an expectant mother and she was looking forward to a very good life. She and the rest of the family. We were thinking about doing family reunions as the city opens back up and we were just moving forward.”
Savannah District 2 Alderman Detric Leggett is LaToya’s cousin. He says the family doesn’t understand why this happened and are missing her deeply.
It’s difficult to process as a city leader.
“it’s hard to differentiate when you hear that kind of news from being a politician and being a family member because it has you torn. How do I support my family and support the community at the same time?”
Alderman Leggett says the family is looking to do some good in her honor and the city has plans bring the neighbors, businesses and other members of the community together to do it.
“The best thing is for us to come together. Find out who these people are, let’s weed them out of this community and let the community grow.”
Alderman Leggett says the city has plans to specifically address gun violence in the coming days.
For now, he asks for the community for their prayers for his family and for others who have lost loved ones.
Savannah Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information on this incident or any other violent crime should call SPD’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at (912) 525-3124 or Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020. Tipsters remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted through a CrimeStoppers online tip portalhere. Tipsters may qualify for a reward of up to $2,500, depending on the severity of the crime.
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