Local
DeKalb County mother seeks answers a year after daughter’s birthday-party shooting
Kinaya Hightower was killed by a stray bullet while celebrating her 22nd birthday in DeKalb County. Her mother says a suspect was arrested, but investigators later found the gun did not match the bullet that killed her daughter.
A year after Kinaya Hightower was fatally shot while celebrating her 22nd birthday in DeKalb County, her mother is still waiting for answers and says no one has been held responsible.
Demetra Blandenburg said she thought an arrest made several months after her daughter’s death would lead to accountability. But she said investigators determined the suspect’s gun did not match the bullet recovered during Hightower’s autopsy.
“It’s heartbreaking to have your child took from you and nobody is being held responsible,” Blandenburg said.
Hightower was at a venue in a DeKalb County parking lot when she was struck by a stray bullet. Investigators believe more than one person fired shots that night, and more than 100 shell casings were found at the scene, according to the report.
Blandenburg believes someone knows who fired the shot that killed her daughter. She urged anyone with information to come forward, asking people to consider how they would want answers if a loved one had been killed.
As she grieves, Blandenburg finds comfort in her family and in caring for Rawlo, Hightower’s dog. She said the dog remains a connection to her daughter.
Anyone with information about Hightower’s killing is urged to contact investigators.