Great-grandma in DC fatally shot while trying to break up fight, police say

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A 71-year-old great-grandmother was fatally shot Saturday night while trying to break up a fight near a grocery store in Washington, D.C., her family said.

>> Read more trending news

Sheila Lucas was killed near a Giant grocery store, WJLA reported. According to family members, Lucas drove from her home to the store after her granddaughter said she had been attacked by two girls inside the store, the television station reported. Lucas met her daughter and granddaughter and was walking away from the store when the assailants returned.

“My mom tried to step in between to make sure that they didn’t fight,” Lucas’ son, Robert Alston, told WJLA. “A gunshot rang (out). My mom gets hit in the head, and then she’s no longer here with us.”

According to police, Lucas was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead, WJLA reported. Another man nearby was shot also. His injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

Lucas leaves six children, four adopted children, and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"Who shoots a 71-year-old woman in the head who has nothing to do with all this?” Alston told WJLA. “We didn’t get a chance to say, ‘Mom, we love you’. We didn’t get a chance to say, ‘Mom we’ll see you later.’ We didn’t get that opportunity. Her life was taken from us.”

Police said they did not have a description of the assailants and no arrests have been made. The department said a reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction, WJLA reported.

Cox Media Group