SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Police have deemed this week the deadliest of 2018.
As of Friday night, investigators in the city have responded to 5 fatal shootings within one week. The latest victim has been identified by family members as 60-year old, Cynthia Fields.
“I just heard shots rang out and I saw my mother laying in a pool of blood,” said Shakiese Mitchell, Fields’ daughter.
Mitchell says her mother was inside her Stratford Street home Friday night when shots were fired outside.
The situation began around 9:30 p.m. Savannah Police first responded to a shooting two blocks away on New Castle Street. While investigating that scene, Officers say they encountered a man on Stratford Street that matched the description of the person who may have been involved in the previous incident.
Savannah Police Officers approached the suspect, now identified as 20-year old Chantz Cooper. Investigators say a Savannah Police Officer and Cooper fired shots at each other. A stray bullet from the exchange flew into the home of Cynthia Fields. Fields died from her injuries.
“It’s a sticky situation in our city and it needs to stop. Two mothers in one week? That’s not good. I don’t know if it’s the gang violence or what it is. It’s out of hand and it needs to stop,” said Mitchell.
The victim’s family tells News 3 Fields was a loving mother of 5 and a life long resident of Savannah.
“I lost my mom to this and it ain’t fair. You only get one of them and I’m not going to get mine back,” said Mitchell.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading this case.