Georgia girl, 15, shot dead when gunfire erupts at birthday party

A 15-year-old girl was fatally shot by a gunman who opened fire when he was kicked out of an Atlanta-area event hall where hundreds of teens were gathered for a birthday party.

Laila Harris of Marietta was killed about 11 p.m. Saturday, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

The teen was gunned down as she tried to avoid the flying bullets at ECM Hall Rentals Near Me on Citizens Parkway, police said.

Investigators said they do not believe that Laila, who was struck near the entrance, was the intended target.

“We need your assistance to find justice for Laila Harris,” Clayton County police Sgt. Julia Isaac said at a news conference Monday.

Issac said the person who was ejected from the event “came back with an accomplice, and [the booted would-be party-goer] shot up the location.”

Loved ones launched a GoFundMe drive to bring her body back to her native St. Louis.

“Sadly she was tragically killed while attending a birthday party just doing what any fifteen-year-old likes to do, trying to have fun,” the page read. “Now we’ve lost her to a senseless act of violence.”

Laila attended Sprayberry High School in the Cobb County School District, 11Alive reported.

“Our hearts go out to Laila’s family, friends, and the entire community. The loss of a loved one is always difficult, and the holidays make the loss all the more tragic,” the district said in a statement.

“School and District staff are available to talk to those who need extra support following the sad news,” it added, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

Community activist Meia Ballinger decried the latest incident of gun violence.

“This is ridiculous. And I know the saying that you don’t want to snitch. It’s not about snitching. You’re saving someone’s life,” she said at a news conference.

“Some don’t want to hear it, but it starts at home. We need parenting. We need our teachers, our preachers, our educators to all come together,” Ballinger added.

Laila’s cousin Kailyn Crawford mourned the young girl.

“Laila was only 15 years old. She had her whole life ahead of her, and that was taken from her due to a senseless act of gun violence,” Kailyn told 11Alive.

“We would just like to spread awareness in regards to gun violence and how it is affecting and taking the lives of the youth in our communities,” she added.

The Post has reached out to ECM Hall Rentals Near Me for comment.