In the early morning hours of November 2, 2025, the life of a 26-year-old mother of three, Lareon Brown, was tragically cut short in a shooting on 6th Street in Carrollton, Georgia. Known to her loved ones as 'Lay Lay' or 'LaylaBug,' Brown was described as the joyful and loving backbone of her family. Just the day before, she had been celebrating her middle child's birthday, an occasion filled with the warmth and happiness she was known for creating.
Around 1:30 a.m., a fight among several individuals escalated into gunfire. According to her family, Brown was not involved in the altercation but was tragically caught in the crossfire and died at the scene. Two other people were also shot and transported to Atlanta-area hospitals for their injuries. One of Brown's cousins, Kathy Cheeks, was among the injured and recounted the chaos of the event, stating that the conflict was over 'nonsense' that could have been avoided.
In the wake of the shooting, the Carrollton Police Department launched an investigation that quickly led to arrests. Four men were taken into custody and are facing charges of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The suspects were identified as 23-year-old Cyntez Worthy of Villa Rica, 26-year-old Zontavius Vaughn of Carrollton, 31-year-old Jamine Hutchinson of Villa Rica, and 34-year-old Geriquez Shadrion Lower of Carrollton.
The community and Brown's family were left to mourn the loss of a woman remembered for her 'million-dollar smile' and her unwavering dedication to her children and family. Her mother, Qualeshas Lowery, expressed the profound grief and disbelief of having to make funeral arrangements for her daughter. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities have encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
