Atlanta Living category interest

HAMPTON, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Hampton community will come together Monday to honor and remember the four people who lost their lives in a mass shooting one year ago.

A dedication ceremony took place at the East Hampton Community Park on Monday morning. The mass shooting rocked the entire community. So many people were on edge and living in fear for hours until the suspected shooter was finally caught.

Now, East Hampton Community Park will be a living memorial to remember the four people tragically killed.

Those killed were Ronald Jeffers, Steve Blizzard, and Scott and Shirley Leavitt.

The park will have three separate areas representing the victims. The Leavitt’s will have a memorial together. The memorials will include trees selected by family members of the victims. The designs will also feature bench installations, and reflection areas throughout the park.

Hampton City Manager, Alex Cohilas said they brought the victims’ families in to help during the design phase.

“I want to thank everyone who came out today. It truly touches my heart. It truly means a great deal to have each one of you here,” said Missy Jeffers, Ronald’s wife. “Our lives have been forever changed. There’s no denying that, but as my pastor reminded me yesterday, our God is always good and our God is always right,” Jeffers said. “And so, we may not understand, but we know that he is in control and that he is good and that he is right,” she said during the memorial.

The Blizzard family also spoke during the ceremony.

“The people in the neighborhood that have taken us in and have said “Hey, “and accepted us--thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Samantha Blizzard, Steve’s daughter.

A representative with the Leavitt family also spoke on the family’s behalf.

During the ceremony, in remembrance of those killed, a bell rang at 10:43 a.m. as each of the names was called. Officials said 10:43 a.m. is the time the first 911 call was made during the mass shooting on July 15th, 2023.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, 40-year-old Andre Longmore shot and killed four people before leading law enforcement on a 24-hour manhunt.

Longmore was eventually spotted in Clayton County where he got into a confrontation with officers. Three officers were seriously hurt while trying to stop Longmore, who was eventually killed.

Last Tuesday, those officers were honored at Hampton City Hall for their heroic efforts, and some of the victim’s families were also able to meet them for the very first time.

Atlanta News First spoke with them about what happened that day.

“Before you know it, I was shot and on a life flight to Grady,” said Lt. Daniel Podsiadly, a Henry County Sheriff’s deputy.

“He ran straight towards me, he fired a shot, got hit in the process, grazed my stomach,” said Walter Pounds, who was a Clayton County Police officer.

“I see the gun pointed right at me, and we both fire at the same time,” said Michael Ruppert, a Clayton County Police officer.

“The officers, they put themselves on the line to stop someone that would’ve kept shooting,” said Rachel Jeffers, victim Ronald Jeffers’ daughter.

Cohilas said East Hampton Community Park was selected for the memorial due to how close it is to the neighborhood where the shooting occurred.

Leaders said work on the memorials will begin in the Fall.

RELATED:

Officers injured by Hampton mass shooter honored by mayor

Clayton County residents describe moments mass shooting suspect was killed

‘We will hunt you down’: Everything we know about the Henry County mass shooting and manhunt

‘I’m heartbroken’: Mother of suspected Henry County shooter apologizes to neighbors

Henry Co. deputy shot in shootout with mass shooting suspect identified

Community comes together to honor victims of Hampton mass shooting

Henry County mass shooting victims identified, suspect dead, authorities say

Manhunt underway for man accused of killing 4 in Henry County