DECATUR, Ga. – Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for any information about a drive-by shooting in Decatur on Friday that killed Joanna Steed, a local paralegal.
Her firm, Bates & Bates, told 11Alive on Wednesday that the group is matching the Crime Stoppers reward. Friends have also launched a GoFundMe page to raise more reward money has exceeded $8,000.
“Joanna was one of the most remarkable people I have ever met, and her loss is absolutely profound,” said Andrea Bates, managing partner of Bates & Bates, the legal firm where Steed worked. “She was not just a colleague, but one of my best friends.”
Steed, 43, was shot and killed on Sept. 5, 2018 at a home on Shannon Ridge Court in Decatur. DeKalb County Police officials said Steed was hanging out and playing music with friends when two vehicles turned around in the cul-de-sac and stopped in front of the home. Multiple shots were fired from the passenger side of both cars, which sped away toward McAfee Road.
Steed was shot in the head and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police say there are no motives or leads and the case is still under investigation.
Bates said Steed was an avid musician who was active in the Atlanta music scene and played bass and guitar.
PHOTOS: Reward for information in paralegal's death
Steed worked with Bates as a paralegal for 20 years and has been with the legal firm Bates & Bates since its inception 10 years ago.
Bates said her office connects to Steed’s, and is a constant reminder of her loss.
“This is the type of tragedy we will learn to deal with, but will never overcome,” Bates told 11Alive. “She was considered the cornerstone of our firm. To say the loss is profound is an understatement.”
Anyone with information regarding Steed’s death or who may have been involved in the drive-by shooting is asked to call the DeKalb County Police Department, or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous and investigators are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.
