On a Tuesday morning in August 2021, a domestic dispute in a southeast Atlanta apartment escalated into deadly violence, claiming the life of 33-year-old Chiemere Poole. The incident, which occurred shortly before 9:15 a.m. in the 400 block of Thomasville Boulevard, also left two others wounded, including Poole's younger brother. When police arrived at the scene, they found Poole inside an apartment, where she had succumbed to her injuries.
Her brother had been shot in the arm, and a third victim was discovered hours later with a gunshot wound to the foot; both were expected to survive.
The argument that led to the shooting reportedly involved 43-year-old Andrea Rivers and Chiemere Poole's brother. Investigators stated the dispute was between Rivers and the brother, who was dating her daughter, concerning items related to their shared child. As Rivers was leaving the apartment, gunfire was exchanged. Poole, a mother of five, was fatally shot during the altercation. Her children were between the ages of 5 and 16 at the time of her death. Family and friends described her as a hardworking single mother and a 'ray of sunshine' who was a provider to those in need.
Later that same day, Atlanta police arrested Andrea Rivers in connection with the shooting. She was charged with murder and aggravated assault. In July 2024, a jury found Rivers guilty of felony murder, four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage to property in the first degree, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. For her role in the death of Chiemere Poole, Andrea Rivers was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus an additional 35 years to be served concurrently.
