Mariam Creighton, an Albany State University volleyball player, died during an Atlanta nightclub shooting over the weekend. She was just 21 years old.
According to TMZ, the shooting occurred around 2:28 a.m. on Sunday, March 12, at the Elleven45 nightclub. The Atlanta Police Department officers arrived at the establishment to discover six people shot. Creighton was one of the two victims that were pronounced at the scene. The other victim was Nakyris Ridley.
In a statement, the Atlanta Police Department shared that a preliminary investigation indicated the shooting happened during a physical dispute at the nightclub. The dispute escalated to gunfire.
Mariam Creighton was a member of the ASU Golden Rams volleyball team and was one semester away from graduating with a biology degree. The university’s athletic department also released a statement about Creighton’s passing.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our student-athletes, Mariam Creighton. The Golden Ram athletics community extends heartfelt condolences to Mari’s family, friends, and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”
Elleven45 spoke out and said it would cooperate with the investigation into the shooting. “In these challenging times, our commitment to the security and safety of our community has only strengthened. We are dedicated to maintaining an environment where everyone feels secure. Our hearts go out to all those impacted, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the individuals and families who have suffered loss and injury.”
Homicide investigators are now looking to identify the person responsible for the shooting.
Mariam Creighton’s Family Says She Was At The Nightclub Celebrating Her Niece’s Birthday
While speaking to Channel 2 Action News, Mariam Creighton’s family revealed she had been out on Saturday night celebrating her niece’s birthday.
“We never want her to be forgotten,” Creighton’s sister, Telia Wheeler, said. “We want whoever did this to be caught and we just want everyone to know how much she was loved.”
While investigators are currently gathering more information about the shooting, the family is focusing on what made Mariam Creighton unique and special. “Mari was very talented,” Creighton’s other sister, Tiffany Eason explained. “She played volleyball, she did nails [and] she did hair. She can build anything.”
Meanwhile, Creighton’s niece, 22-year-old Taylor Holmes, was injured during the shooting. “She got shot in the leg, but she’s stable now,” Eason confirmed. “But I think they are going to keep her a few more days.”
Continuing to speak out about her sister, Eason then added, “My sister was just out having a good time, and now our lives are just altered forever.”
“It’s just senseless,” she added.