In the summer of 1999, a horrific act of violence cut short the life of 16-year-old Torsha Briskey in Atlanta, Georgia. On July 12th, Torsha, a female, was one of six victims in a mass shooting that took place in her family's home. The tragedy unfolded when Cyrano Marks, the boyfriend of Torsha's mother, Deleane Briskey, went on a rampage, systematically taking the lives of those inside the house.
The night of terror began as Marks, armed with a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, gathered the
family members. In addition to Torsha and her 33-year-old mother, the other victims were Torsha's 15-year-old brother, Craig DeCarlo Briskey; her 13-year-old brother, David Antonio Lucas, Jr.; her 9-year-old brother, Antoine DeAndre Lucas; and her 37-year-old aunt, Essie Jo Hugley. The sole survivor of the massacre was Torsha's 11-year-old brother, who was forced to witness the brutal killings of his family members as Marks dragged him from room to room. The young boy managed to escape further harm when the gunman's weapon jammed. He was shot in the elbow but pretended to be deceased, which ultimately saved his life.
After murdering the six members of the family, Cyrano Marks turned the gun on himself, ending his own life. The motive for the devastating attack was reportedly an argument between Marks and Deleane Briskey. The surviving child hid for hours before seeking help from a neighbor, who then alerted the authorities. The incident left the community in shock and mourning for the senseless loss of multiple lives, including that of a teenage girl with her whole life ahead of her. The perpetrator of this horrific crime was identified as Cyrano Marks, and as he took his own life, there was no arrest or trial in this case.
