SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. — Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix provided an update, Friday, regarding one of his own officers who was allegedly shot in the head by her step-daughter a day earlier.
Authorities said Detention Officer Amanda Moore was sleeping when she was shot Thursday around 3:30 p.m. by the 16-year-old who was taken into custody a short distance away from the house.
In the latest update on the Spalding County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, Moore's condition had taken a relatively positive turn.
"The last 24 hours have been a roller coaster for Amanda and her family," the note said. "The last update was that her vitals were good and that her brain is not swelling as was feared."
According to the note, Moore was able to follow the doctor's hand movements with her eyes and that she was breathing on her own.
And while these were good signs, the note asked that the community continue to keep Moore, her family and the sheriff's office in their prayers.
"Amanda, like all of us that wear a badge or work in any part of this organization are warriors. We have a warrior mindset and a warrior spirit that drives us to fight the fight to the end, never give up, and survive," the message read. "We need to do our part now to support Amanda, Larry and their families by being prayer warriors."
Moore's injury ended up hitting the sheriff's office twice as hard given the fact that not only is Moore an officer with the jail but her Father, Sgt. Larry Martin is also employed with the sheriff's office. The note also added that real prayer isn't just lip service online.
"When we see tragic events on the news or on social media, we read the comments posted about prayers and wonder how many of those people have really said a prayer and how many are just commenting without substance," the message said. "Today, and in the days to come, our prayers need to be substantive, for all who are in these families and for those who are caring Amanda."
The 16-year-old girl accused of shooting Moore hasn't yet been publicly identified since she is charged as a juvenile. But Dix said he will ask the district attorney to handle her criminal case as an adult adding that "not at any point did she deny doing it."
He described the shooting as "cold-blooded and calculated."
Moore had worked an overnight shift earlier in the day and was napping during the attack. Dix said Moore's 11-year-old son ran out of the house and called for help.
“This is a difficult time for everyone involved and we are asking for prayers of healing and strength for this family in the coming days,” Dix said.
Stories of Moore's kindness
Community members said Moore is well-known in Spalding County and constantly trying to help others. Holly Morris said she'll never forget how Moore tried to help her son.
A social media post describes Moore trying to help raise money for a young man she met briefly who mentioned his bike was stolen.
Morris's son, Alex Smith worked at a nearby grocery store and had to walk to work after the theft. So when Moore learned of the incident, she made it her mission to help him get a new bike.
Greg Rosenthal said he donated and Moore even drove 30 minutes just to pick up the money.
Both Morris and her son live out-of-state now and they're shocked over what happened to the person who once touched their lives.
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