Eboni Anderson, a 34-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot outside Palmetto Elementary School in Fulton County, Georgia, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, while making a DoorDash delivery. The incident prompted a hard lockdown at the school around 11 a.m., but no students or staff were harmed; over 550 children were safely relocated to Bear Creek Middle School.
Suspect and Charges
Christopher Loris Ates, 39, Anderson’s boyfriend, was arrested after a high-speed chase ending in a crash on Highway 96 near the Houston-Twiggs County line. He’s held in Houston County Jail on charges including reckless driving, fleeing police, and second-degree cruelty to children, with Fulton County finalizing murder charges. Family reports suggest Ates, previously incarcerated and homeless, shot Anderson using her own gun during a domestic dispute, with her 17-month-old son present.
School and Community Response
Principal Jacqueline Bowens assured parents the incident was isolated, with no school involvement or danger inside the building. Anderson, mother to 8-year-old twins and an 18-month-old, attended Fulton County Schools but not Palmetto; her stepfather described her as a devoted mom who carried a weapon while dashing. DoorDash expressed condolences and is aiding the investigation; a GoFundMe honors her as a “beautiful, kind soul.”​
