Atlanta mother shot dead in front of child in cold-blooded attack as teen arrested

A young mother was fatally shot in front of her child in northwest Atlanta in mid-May, leading to the arrest of a teenager.

Cartez Harvey, 18, was arrested Wednesday by police and charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, second-degree cruelty to children, of four counts of association with a criminal street gang, and another charge that appears to be related to membership in a criminal street gang.

In the early hours of Saturday, May 18, 21-year-old Nejha Cox was found shot to death on Hollywood Road NW in the Carey Park neighborhood of Atlanta.

On June 4, police also arrested Jamal Baker, 23, in connection with Cox's death.

Surveillance footage showed individuals inside another car shooting a woman who was sitting in the passenger seat, in an attack believed to have been targeted.

Police said they were looking for three men who were on foot.

Her child was in the car at the time of the shooting.

Carey Park has been the victim of five serious assaults since March of this year.

A local resident, who asked to remain anonymous when speaking to 11Alive, said this is the norm in the area. They explained: “Killing, shooting, stabbing a lot. Children are not even safe to play in the street. They barely have a playground because guess what?

“Adults take over the playground and want to shoot in broad daylight.”