A 10-year-old Georgia girl died when a tree fell on her family’s home during a storm.
A’erica Shukai Dixon died on Saturday, May 3, at around 3 a.m. local time, when a tree fell on her family’s home in Atlanta, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched by a cousin who identified the girl.
A’erica, who lived at home with her mother, two sisters, and brother, was lying in bed with her grandmother, who had a broken pelvis and is “now paralyzed in one leg,” according to the fundraiser.
A spokesperson for the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) told PEOPLE that the home is in the Mozley Park neighborhood. Crews responded to the scene for a “possible entrapment,” only to discover that a 10-year-old girl had died from injuries caused by the tree’s impact.
According to the AFRD, the girl’s mother and grandmother were taken to a local hospital in stable condition, and the American Red Cross has been contacted to provide assistance to the family.
“The house just began shaking. Akiylah, A’erica’s 14-year-old sister, told Atlanta News First that everything just crashed, and she saw her mother running through the hallway to get to her grandmother.
“I broke down so hard because it wasn’t just my little sister. “That was my best friend,” she explained.
According to the outlet, police, firefighters, and the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office stayed on the scene for several hours while crews worked to remove the tree.
Anaré Holmes, an AFRD spokesperson, told Atlanta News First that the 10-year-old’s death was a “tragedy” with “no other way to see it.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp posted on X about the tragic death of a young girl caused by storms last night. “We ask that all Georgians join us in praying for her loved ones during this difficult time.”
NBC affiliate WXIA shared footage of the scene, which showed caution tape surrounding a large tree. According to the outlet, a portion of the tree fell during Hurricane Helene last year, crashing into the family’s white SUV.
“The landlord was informed about it, and they were supposed to cut the whole inside of the tree down so that this wouldn’t happen again,” according to a family member. “And no one ever came back to cut it down.”
According to the relative, the tragedy “feels like a dream that we need to be woken up from” and that A’erica’s mother had to be sedated in the hospital due to the circumstances. “Because every time she wakes up, she is flipping out about her baby,” she told me.
According to the GoFundMe, A’erica’s father died two years ago. Her family referred to her as Tink. Her family remembered her as “a very happy child,” a cheerleader who enjoyed dancing, filming TikTok videos, and playing with her toys.
“We’re trying to raise money during this difficult time to help bury my little cousin. Unfortunately, her mother cannot afford to bury A’erica now. Her death was unexpected, so we’re asking for help,” the fundraiser message read.
“The family would appreciate any donations for the funeral costs of A’erica,” the message continued. Everything is greatly appreciated. “Thank you.”
The Dixon family has since raised more than $18,000, with a current goal of $28,000 as of Sunday, May 4.
