Celebratory Gunfire Injures Worker With DeKalb DA's Office; 2 Charged

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect comments from DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.

LITHONIA, GA — An employee with the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office was injured after being shot during celebratory gunfire on Independence Day in Lithonia, prosecutors said Monday.

DeKalb County Police told Patch the shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. Saturday in the 7500 block of Clear Creek Drive.

The woman was inside her home when she was shot and critically injured during the incident, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said.

The gunfire came from the outside, police said. The woman was in stable condition, police said.

Officers arrested Steven Joseph, 34, on charges of aggravated assault and first-degree criminal damage in connection with the shooting, police said.

Additionally, Odane Lynch, 42, was arrested on charges of reckless conduct and discharging a firearm near a public highway or street, police said.

"It is with a heavy heart that one of our own, a valued member of the DeKalb County family, was critically injured by this senseless and preventable act of celebratory gunfire. Our thoughts and prayers are with our employee, her loved ones and everyone affected by this tragedy,"DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said in a news release.

"... For years, DeKalb County has worked to educate our community about the dangers of celebratory gunfire because every bullet fired into the air has the potential to forever change a life. We urge everyone to celebrate responsibly, look out for one another and help prevent another family from experiencing this kind of heartbreak."

Boston on Monday formally requested the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia assign a conflict prosecutor to oversee the case, which said "is the appropriate course of action under these circumstances."

She asked for prayers for the woman and her loved ones, and she requested privacy during the woman's recovery.