ATLANTA – Atlanta police are interviewing witnesses and searching for the person who shot and killed a star high school basketball player on Christmas Eve.

Police said 18-year-old Sekya Smith died after someone began shooting at her friend’s home in the 1100 block of Smith Street in southwest Atlanta on Tuesday evening.

“I collapsed. I had tears in my eyes. I was shocked,” friend Derickey Waller told Channel 2’s Audrey Washington on Friday. “It’s hard knowing she’s not here anymore,” he added.

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Police said Smith was a standout basketball player at Carver High School and was visiting a friend when the shooting happened.

Paramedics took Smith to Grady Memorial Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead. Police have not released details about a suspect or motive for the shooting.

“I still don’t know what actually happened,” Waller said.

Waller said Smith is part of the Blueprint 58 Youth Organization in southwest Atlanta.

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Waller said Smith studied in the organization, made friends, played basketball and planned her future. Part of that future included attending Albany State University after graduation. She planned to major in criminal justice.

In a social media post, Carver High School Athletics asked the community for prayers and wrote a message to Smith:

“We love you and we will miss you,” the post said.

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“Sekya was an outstanding person. It always brought joy and encouraged everyone,” said Waller.

Friends and family gathered at Pittman Park Friday evening for a vigil in Smith’s honor.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crimestoppers at (404) 577-8477

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