TRAGIC: The man charged with murdering 23-year-old pregnant mother Shakiya Pridgen and her unborn son in Atlanta was released early from prison for a previous murder just two years ago

A shocking case of domestic violence and systemic failure has rocked the Atlanta area after 23-year-old Shakiya Pridgen, a pregnant mother of two, and her unborn son were gunned down in their DeKalb County apartment. The man arrested and charged with their murders — Devin Anthony, 26 — had been released early from prison just two years earlier after pleading guilty to another killing.

Pridgen was sH๏τ multiple times through the bedroom window of her apartment at The Woods at Peppertree Apartments in Decatur early Tuesday morning while she slept beside her 1-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter. Neither child was physically harmed, but Pridgen and her unborn baby — a son named Kyron (or Kyren) due next week — both died at the scene. She had celebrated her baby shower just the day before.

Police arrested Anthony hours later. He faces charges of malice murder, feticide, and aggravated ᴀssault with intent to murder. Family members told reporters that Anthony was Pridgen’s ex-boyfriend and the father of the unborn child. They described the attack as premeditated, noting that the shooter appeared to know exactly where Pridgen slept and targeted the window accordingly.

The tragedy is compounded by Anthony’s criminal history. In March 2021, Atlanta police say Anthony killed 58-year-old Ronald Barner. He was arrested three months later, and in November 2024 negotiated a plea deal that resulted in just 11 months in prison followed by 19 years on probation. He was released in October 2025. Court records show his probation was later revoked after he tested positive for THC, but he was released again in February 2026 — only months before the new killings.

Pridgen’s family has expressed profound grief and demanded justice. Her mother, Verdina Scott, said: “Somebody took a blessing from all of us… We will get justice for you, Shakiya and Kyren.” Friends and relatives described the young mother as “sweet, caring” with “a good heart.” The family believes the shooting was targeted by someone she knew.

This case has reignited fierce debate over Georgia’s criminal justice policies, particularly the early release of violent offenders. Anthony’s light sentence for a prior murder — followed by quick re-release despite a probation violation — allowed a dangerous individual back into the community, with devastating consequences. Critics argue that plea deals and lenient probation enforcement prioritize prison population management over public safety, especially when repeat violent offenders are involved.

DeKalb County authorities have not commented on whether Anthony’s prior record influenced the charging decision, but the timeline speaks for itself. A man convicted of murder in 2021 was free and allegedly committing another double homicide by mid-2026. Pridgen’s two surviving children now face life without their mother, and an unborn child never had the chance to take his first breath.

As the investigation continues and Anthony awaits trial, the community mourns a young mother taken in the most cowardly way possible — while sleeping with her children. The stark reality remains: a previous murderer was released early and allegedly struck again. Justice for Shakiya, Kyron, and the family must include not only accountability for Anthony but also a serious reckoning with the policies that put him back on the streets.