Deadly drive-by was a targeted attack, sheriff says

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The search is on for suspects in the shooting death of 8-year-old Arbrie Anthony.

Anthony was shot Saturday in front of her home at the Dogwood Terrace Apartments off Old Savannah Road.

MORE | ‘She had so much life left ahead of her’: Community mourns slain girl

Deputies say they are looking for at least two people who allegedly fired shots from the vehicle pictured below. We’re told it’s a newer-model Jeep Compass Trailhawk.

The car is a reddish-orange color and deputies say it possibly has a black top and a black stripe on the hood.

Deputies say the shots came from the passenger side.

Surveillance images of the vehicle believed to have been used in the deadly shooting on Third... — Surveillance images of the vehicle believed to have been used in the deadly shooting on Third Ave. that took the life of 8-year-old Arbrie Anthony.

Sheriff Richard Roundtree held a news conference Monday to put the community on high alert.

The hope is there are people at home who might be able to help solve this case.

“This is an 8-year-old little girl shot in the head in her own front yard. Our phones are ringing off the hook,” said Roundtree.

A single phone call could be what puts the murderer of an 8-year-old girl behind bars.

“We think this was a targeted attack. We don’t think this was a random act of violence,” he said.

Deputies believe there was a target here, but say the girl likely wasn’t the intended one.

Hanging out in her front yard, deputies says she was in awe over a few horses people brought by.

The area is a common hang-out spot for groups.

While outside, deputies say, five to 10 shots were fired. One hit a parked car, one hit one of the horses, and another hit the little girl.

MORE | Five people shot in outbreak of violence: What we know

“We’re not ruling out any possibilities. We are following leads that may have some association with retaliatory incidents that happened prior to this that may involve gangs,” said Roundtree.

We found family and friends gathered outside the home just hours after the sheriff’s news conference. Anthony’s dad shared memories and received hugs, all surrounded by a memorial for his daughter.

Next on the sheriff’s agenda is to interview witnesses deputies may have missed in this neighborhood and check surveillance video to see if the car frequented the area.

“I’m confident we’re going to solve this case,” he said.

Copyright 2022 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.