Wrong McDonald's Order Leaves Woman Dead
It's McDonald's, man. Somebody just got. shot in the drive-thru. >> They didn't get what they wanted in the. drive-thru. I mean, how many times we go. to the drive-thru? >> through the drive-thru and come in there. with a gun. >> So, um we're with the homicide unit.
Um unfortunately, today that girl she uh. deceased. at the hospital, okay? That's the unfortunate part. I'm going to honor the fact that you. want to speak with your lawyer, but. unfortunately, you're going to be. charged for it, okay? All right. >> An argument over food at an Atlanta. McDonald's led to a scuffle between. customers, [music]. and suddenly a shot rang out inside the. restaurant. A mother of four was rushed. to a trauma center, but didn't survive.
We pulled together police [music] body. cam videos from that chaotic scene, the. frantic 911 calls, and the [music]. footage of what the young killer had to. say for herself. Welcome to Sidebar, presented by Law & Crime. I'm Jesse. Weber. >> One of the leading [music] motives in. our homicides is escalating disputes. So, something that should just be a. simple argument, it turns physical, and. then people are so quick to resort to. gun violence.
>> T'Naya Evans was just 19 years old when. she was hauled into Atlanta PD's. headquarters just after Christmas in. 2023. She'd been at a local McDonald's. with her sisters when an argument on the. afternoon of December 27th over missing. burgers and nuggets escalated into. gunfire. Another customer made a frantic. call to 911. >> It's McDonald's, man. Somebody just got. shot in the drive-thru. >> Okay, hold on for the ambulance.
Where she shot at? Mr. Green. >> You have reached the EMS. Do not hang. up. Your call will be. >> Hey, sir. Okay, who was shot? Was it a male or. female? >> It's a female. She She was shot in the. >> Where was she shot at? What part of the.
body? >> the EMS. Do not hang up. >> Hello, sir. Where was the female shot at? What part. of the body? >> She was shot in the heart, she. >> It's a little hard to understand the. caller sometimes, but he tries to. explain what went down to the. dispatchers. >> Sir, can you tell me exactly what. happened? >> Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Oh, uh. well, some of the kids Nobody They came. in McDonald's and saw them with the. the silver I mean, the mountain. everything. And then we told We told them to leave. out the store. Grady's coming out. They. got Grady. >> The victim was 30-year-old Tamenika. Woods. She'd been at the McDonald's with. her four children. We're talking about. ages from toddlers to teens. You know what happened? You know what. she did? She reportedly just stood up. for the cashier who was being berated by. the women who were missing parts of.
their order. So, you have words that. were exchanged. There was some pushing. and shoving. And then McDonald's. surveillance shows Taniaya pulling out a. pistol and shooting Tamenika in the. chest. >> They putting us out. They putting. everybody out. They said the fish look. fine. Okay. >> As more than a dozen Atlanta police.
officers started arriving at the scene, this is when things were very chaotic.
>> Ma'am, can you all get that baby out, please? >> It's her baby. >> I got you, but you can't have the baby. watching this. I need everybody out. I need everybody. out. STAND OUTSIDE. THAT'S FINE. THAT'S FINE. Right now it's. a crime scene. Please. Can I get. everybody to stand out for me, please?
STAND OUTSIDE FOR ME. SO, you were her? I appreciate that. I appreciate it. If you don't mind. standing right here for me, we're going. to come talk to you. Ma'am, I got you. Stand in front for me. 96 fire 14 is 26.
Not alert, not conscious, not breathing. CPR in progress. >> There's this man who did CPR on. Tamenika. Later told officers that he'd. just arrived at the restaurant to pick. up his food when he saw her lying on the. floor, tried to help. Outside officers, they're trying to get a straight answer. on what happened here, but I will tell. you. the emotions are running high.
>> Hey, get away from the car.
Hey, see that thing?
You are detained. You are not free to. leave. >> Huh? >> You are not free to leave. >> Okay.
>> We need to find a car for you, Ashley. You got anything on your cell phone? >> No. Hold on, let me give my mom my stuff. >> Is Is your car unlocked? No. Is that. yours? >> It's unlocked. All right. Everybody that was in the car. All right, she is detained. She is not. free to go. Hey, chill out. Stop Stop arguing. Hey, get back. Get back. Get back. Get. back. Get back. Get back. Stop.
Stop. Stop before I slam you. I'm not going to tell you again. I'm not going to tell you again to get. back. You're going to go in cuffs as. well. You're not going to You're going. to go in cuffs as well. Get back. >> It wasn't like that. Okay, so it was an argument, but the. lady jumped in it.
The lady jumped in it or whatever. So, then that's when the night was like. going to pop who nobody not popping. nothing. Then that's when she was like. all y'all hoes whatever like that put. her hand in my sister's face. And my. sister was like stop putting your hand. in my face. And then that's when the altercation. broke out and then there was a shot. fired. Still defend me. Right from the beginning y'all have to.
see like. They were They were. acting like we were about them with our. And our food was wrong so we came here. respectfully then they started. lollygagging. My sister she told them like. >> Hey, I need one unit to follow greater. >> An officer then updates APD's homicide. unit about the situation.
>> I got my supervisor in route. The owner. is in route as well. >> We're over here at. 1176 RDA inside of the McDonald's. We had um um. two parties. They went from uh verbal to physical and. uh shots were fired. We had one victim shot in the chest. She's extremely low. >> Now, the restaurant manager who's on. duty is obviously very shaken, very. upset by what just happened, and says. that her supervisor and other regional.
managers, they're coming. They're on the. way. >> I got my supervisor in route. The. owner's in route. Everybody's in route. Everybody coming. >> Just give me a second. You got to wait. for the investigators to get here. I'm. sorry. >> I'm not doing this. Y'all don't know how. to shut the fuck up. That's the problem. After I told y'all to let this go for. escalating. >> Uh yeah, she's right there. And what is this buddy wearing? >> Mr. B, what's your ETA? >> Oh, okay. Okay. >> What up? He's 6 minutes. The supervisor is 6.
minutes away. Even when THEY SHUT UP, THE GIRL YOS GET. THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE WAY. SHE STARTED. WITH THE GIRL. >> THAT'S them wild of the ones who are the. main characters and the supervisor out. there. Yeah, it's locked. >> I told them when they started TO COME. OUT WITH THEIR GUNS, I SAID, "Y'ALL LET. THIS GO.". STOP. THE GIRL JUST SHOT THE GIRL.
SO, that was in the drive-thru first. >> Hey dog, kicking my butt. Running on new. batteries. They went dead on me and they won't come. out. >> They came in from the drive-thru. They. said they missing stuff. Said they said. they were missing two six pieces, a. quarter pounder, and a double. cheeseburger. So, why they missing it? I'm saying, "Okay, cool. I'mma handle. them.". >> Got you. >> The pink The girl in the pink Oh, she. just started. like trying to fight the unique in her. So, I'm telling them, "Don't worry about.
it. Let them go." Them two. But, I guess. her sister or her cousin whoever walked. in the lobby and she was like these. people are really disrespectful. Like. that's what she said. The customers are really disrespectful. So she was like y'all don't lose y'all. job. It's not worth losing y'all job. Oh. they getting hyped. Oh the girl who shot. the girl she grabbing her gun and oh. yeah I'm popping one of y'all. Y'all. popping one of y'all. Oh so I'm like okay cool. So when. I guess somebody they say somebody got. hit. I didn't see y'all. Somebody got. hit. Oh.
>> What's going on? >> I'm director of operations for this. organization. >> I got you. >> And we just wanted to see if our people. are all right so we can talk to them. >> You mean physically all right? >> Yeah everybody's physically all right. I. got that now. I'm talking more. emotionally. >> Yeah just give it a few. Once. investigators arrive they do their thing. and then everybody will be good to go. about their day. But we just need to. occupy their time for a few.
No problem. >> Other witnesses also give their accounts. to police and that includes the man who. apparently grabbed T'Naya and her gun. and held her until officers could take. her into custody. >> Officer can I ask you a question? >> Go ahead man. >> Is this guy right here a officer? They. asked him that because he pulled out he. he also put a gun to my baby's head. Like he had nothing to do with it. Venom. uh uh uh. Nick the Meridian. Cuz you told them you.
was a police officer. That's what you. told them. You pulled out a gun on them. and you pulled out a gun on them as. well. Yeah so if you didn't guess what? I want you arrested cuz that's a child. too. That's my baby. To be cuz that to. be is that so? I want you arrested too. >> Okay. >> If that's the case. >> Okay. >> You ain't have no right to put no gun. And not you. >> Okay. Well let me confer with. >> He did do that right there. I'm telling you. Yeah he need to be. arrested too. You they come out and put. him in handcuffs, he need to go, too. >> He did it inside of where?
>> In in the McDonald's. No, he did it in. that little middle part. That part right. there. The lobby. >> No, not the lobby. He had her by the. trash can by the lobby, but we got into. the the double doors and he had. >> Where is his badge? Yeah, where is his badge? He say he's a. Where is your badge? You got to have one. of those and want to hold anybody. Other. than that, guess what? It is. This kid. Let me know you holding me against my. own will. What's really going on? What's really going on? You holding me. You're not APD. You can't do their job.
Hello, and I'm not bothering you. I'm. not in altercation with you. So, what. are you. got going? >> Okay. >> Right. You just put yourself into a. hold-up situation. >> I got you. >> Yeah, so I'm the one who took the gun. from her. And pulled the gun on her.
I already did. Cuz she put it in her. right here in the sweater. And that's why the mama keep them on me. Like, "Hey, they want my gun. I gave the. gun to the police.". >> Oh. >> You saw what happened. And I'm telling her, "She can't let my. sister go. Let my sister go.". You going to be accessory to murder. You know what I'm saying? You trying to. let this trying to. tell my sister to let your sister go. >> Yeah. Well, that changes the dynamic of. everything. >> We just coming up here to get a burger.
>> Yeah, I got you. I hate I hate that y'all have to see. that. >> Yeah, I know. >> Man, I'm hungry. I I can't even get a. cheeseburger, man. I ain't never seen anything. I got you. >> I saw when she pulled the gun. >> Yeah, you you like a kid. >> They arguing and they were trying to. tell me scratch that, just do that, but. >> Yeah, it's very important if we It's. very important if we It's very we get. your statement. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll do a. statement, but. >> Radio raising 3491? >> I was just holding her back cuz I. wouldn't let her go cuz this girl got.
her kids. >> Transfer uh. 2491. >> Kids, it was like four four five kids. sitting right here, but she had her kids. to go with her. >> 2490 and 3496 confirms signal 48. Copy. >> That's crazy. >> They got some. I copy confirm 48.
>> She should have She should have taken. her to McDonald's and pulled them to the. back. The manager should have been the. only person talking talking to. de-escalate. This just I mean, she just. let her staff argue and walk in there. and start talking all this crap. I mean, I mean, we just watched this unfold and. then he said, "She got this.". And when I saw that punch, I said, "Oh, it's. it's over." Next thing you know, >> How many How many punches until. >> It's just one. The girl in the pink The. girl in the pink, they got her, too.
Cuz after that, the other girl had them. pull her gun. The one in the black done. pulled her gun and shot. >> Another child going go down for life. >> Yeah, cuz she man, she was like, "Yeah, I'll shoot that.". I was like, I tell you I was like, "She. got a gun.". She got a gun, man. She got a gun. >> eat lunch up? >> We just coming from a break. We was just coming from a break. >> oh, you get a long break now, I mean. >> Yeah, we was just coming from a break.
But I wouldn't have let her go, too. >> Who, yours? >> Zack's. >> Man, the whole chaos had him on his good. Samaritan. >> Yeah, cuz I The girl had her children. with her. She had her kids with her. >> So, what did you do? >> I just grabbed the girl who coming out. cuz she they trying to jump on me at the. same time. So the girl had her gun and. the gun in the yard. So I grabbed her hand and then she she. couldn't shoot nobody else.
Yeah, she would have shot me but you. know all right. >> Hey, good job, man. >> People have accidents. >> Yeah? >> No, but. she she see all these kids in there. >> Yeah. >> She saw. >> Oh, no, this is going to be a laundry. list of charges. >> Yeah, it's a lot of kids in there and. you got a gun. Tell me something you. would do this, shoot this. No, you ain't going to get away like. that. >> Look at that laundry list of charges. I. mean, however many kids is close to the. children. Man. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, they trying to jump on me cuz I.
had all that. >> Bottom line is that. >> comes. >> makes my food to. >> No, this is absurd. That's low. That's what's stupid. >> Hey, this is grand larceny. >> Damn. They didn't get what they wanted. >> In the drive-thru. I mean, how many. times we go to the drive-thru? >> through the drive-thru and you're coming. out with a gun. Come through the drive-thru coming out. with a gun. >> You said they were in the drive-thru. >> Yeah, they were coming through the. drive-thru. They had them already went. through the drive-thru and came in and. walked away with the.
>> bag. >> That's how it escalated. >> And it sounded like they had a chip on. their shoulder anyway and then it. No, not the charges. >> Oh, no. >> And then at the time of the shooting. what occurred? One punch. That didn't. involve you. >> She wasn't even involved in it. >> It could be something like that. >> Yeah, that's what I was saying. >> So officers are shocked and dismayed. that something so trivial could have had.
such deadly consequences. >> Over some food, though? >> That's crazy. >> Over food? And she's only 19. Did she Did she shoot the employee. there, though? >> No, so apparently allegedly a person uh. in the line got shot. >> In the line got shot. Okay. >> I thought it was an employee first. >> Me, too. The remarks, yeah. >> Yeah. Uh. yeah, they were in the line and they. were skipping the line because their. order was wrong out here in the. drive-thru and came inside.
They were skipping everybody. Yeah, crazy drama. And uh the girl spoke out about it. She. said, "Y'all are skipping me. I'm I'm. like everybody else." And apparently got. into some words. The girl in the line mushed one of the. girls from the car that came inside. The girl's sister pulled out a gun and. shot and killed her. >> She don't know how to fight. That's what. that's giving cuz why did you pull out a. gun and shoot? >> that was her first immediate thought I. believe. >> Yeah. Yeah. You could have just threw a. hand. Like you could have just been. fighting with your hands.
You didn't have to throw a punch first. It's crazy. Your immediate reaction soon as somebody. get pushed was to pull out a gun and. shoot. >> Now you gone. Like you gone. >> Yeah, she done. She done. She's only 19, though. She's done. The sister don't. even look that much older than her. No, no, no. The victim is 30. >> Oh. >> The The one who shot her is 19. The. sister don't even look that much older. than her, though. Gone. For nothing. Over McDonald's.
Now you can't even choose what you want. in jail. So you couldn't You tell me you couldn't. fight with your hands? >> I mean, if she. >> If she mushed you. If she mushed you, you could have just. thrown hands. >> I mean, if you felt violated, you ain't. just going to kill her. Like that's. crazy. That's excessive. >> That is. That is definitely excessive. >> Not for jail. >> And then who did she mush? Did she mush. her or she mush the sister? >> know. So I'm based on what he told me. the person who.
she mushed. the victim mushed. somebody in the group. which was the sister of the person. that shot? >> So the person who got. >> pulled out the gun. and shot the person on behalf of the. sister. >> So she never get mushed and she shoot. him. >> From what I'm understanding, I could. like I said, I could be. >> Oh yeah, so you just killed somebody. just cuz then you that wasn't even. self-defense on your end or at least you. defending your you wasn't even it didn't. even have nothing to do with you.
It's crazy. >> get mushed and pull out a pistol and. shoot somebody. >> Mhm. >> So what happens next? Well, Tanaya and. at least two of her sisters were. detained. They were detained at the. scene and then they were taken back to. the headquarters, the police. headquarters to be interviewed. >> Well, ask what. >> You guys want to get your phone? >> And why y'all want to come up? What is she being arrested for? >> She's being detained. >> Okay. >> I can't at this point in time tell you. what she's being. >> What do you mean?
>> At this point in time she is not. >> Just cuz they all got to wait.
I was trying to tell you. >> anything on you? >> No, sir. >> Okay. No weapons? >> No. >> Okay. >> Oh. >> Do you have an ID on you or did they. already give you you get your. information? Okay, all right. We're. going to do the same. Watch your head. >> As one of the sisters waits in the. interview room, she's not happy that. she's being held.
>> I am not a criminal. My legs shouldn't It's not even funny. My legs should not be. chained up. >> So, she gives detectives her version of. what happened at the McDonald's. >> What happened after this? Your legs are shaking. >> From the beginning, so we were in the. drive-thru line, ordering food, trying to place two. orders. through the drive-thru. One for cash, one for card. They informed us that we.
only They were since they're short on. staff, that they're only. >> I'm going straight from like I don't. want I don't want to miss nothing. >> Okay, I appreciate that. >> Um they informed us that they're short. staffed, we can only do one, so we put. all our orders together, and then we. went to the window. Our order wasn't complete when we got to. the window. We were trying to tell the. lady we wanted to add more food to the. order, and she explained to us. that she's new, um cuz it seemed like they had Well, one. the lady who first took our. order seemed to have too much attitude.
or whatever. So, when we went to the window, it was a. different lady, and she explained to us, "Oh, we're sorry. I'm sorry. We're I'm a. new I'm new to working or whatever." And. she was like, "Oh, yeah, we all. understand." cuz at first we thought it. was attitude or whatever. So, we got We paid for our food, went to the. second window to receive our food, and. we looked in our bags, didn't have. everything in it, so we went inside to. tell them with our receipt and let them. know that. all our food was not in our bags, so.
like you know that's food people don't. like. remaking your food or whatever. So, I. just needed to see like they were a. little. you know, attitude or whatever. to make the food, and then my sister is. was basically. One of my sisters. Hold on. Let me not miss this. So, they lead to the Okay, so we were. still waiting for our food. Then. somebody in the back said, "Can y'all. while they're still here?" And then one. of my sisters made a comment saying if. we had all our food we would be gone.
So then. Um. after one of the ladies in the back said. that the lady who was at the front. register. I guess she caught drift of all the the. emotions or whatever. And see my sister was like right here. This is you know. where people stand and this is their. you know. whatever. My sister was right here. getting the sauce. from their inside and the lady from. cashier was like.
back up doing this like this and she had. attitude and then I'm not sure what my. sister said to her. Then the lady who um. had got shot was saying she had spoke up. and said something was telling girl like. I already know like girl so basically. like trying to stick up for the register. lady. I'm horrible with telling stuff. >> You're fine. >> So. again.
the other lady. I guess the lady taking up for the. register lady felt like that was her way. to get buck or get beat. So she was just walking back like yeah. cuz nobody wants smoke like nobody want. to basically trying to antagonize saying. she want to fight or whatever and then I. one of my sisters was like. What you doing all that for or something. saying like you could clock out or. whatever and then one of my other. sisters. um. was just saying the same thing and the. lady in the back and the lady who was. the guest who spoke up for the register.
cashier register lady. saying was saying stuff like. antagonizing too basically saying oh. call somebody and tell them to bring. their bring her fire in or whatever cuz. these four hoes tripping or whatever. something like that. And. one of my sisters said. something like I got it on me shoot you. or whatever like basically saying she. was going to The lady was basically. saying she was going to shoot. at first. Then, as we got our food, one of the one of. the managers, I guess she was a manager.
at McDonald's, she had came up to uh me. and my other sister, the pregnant. sister, and asked us like, um did y'all get. everything? Are y'all okay? What do. y'all need? Or whatever. And me and my. sister told her we were okay and we was. walking out. And then the other lady. still kept talking. talking crazy. And we walking out and me. and my other sister trying to get me and. my two other sisters to leave out. And then next thing you know, the lady. who. told somebody to go get their five. had walked up.
to one of my sisters. And when I looked, she I saw her head. I. don't know what she did. Her hand went. like this and my sister's head went like. this. So, I took her and my other sister. down and tried to grab my sisters. I. ain't going to lie to you. Like, >> Mhm. >> You know? >> Mhm. >> So, and next thing you know, I just heard. pop. So, I'm thinking. I'm looking for my sisters and then I'm. just thinking it was a lady that had got. that did the shooting cuz she said she. was going to shoot first. And then.
I'm looking and then I see her on the. ground and then we try to leave and I. see a man with my sister holding her. like trying to not let her go. And then that's when I had called we had. called our mom and. we went to go get her. And yeah. Came. back and my sister went and got her. And that should be it. >> So, this whole incident started over. um some food. And would that be fair to. say? Uh at the drive-thru, there was a. misplaced of food. >> I wouldn't say it it it started over.
food because it wasn't it was. not really disrespect, it's real. Somebody just. put in their stuff in the situation like. she. she said something. I don't think it started over. It. started over disrespect, but really. we're crap like talking out your neck. and you going to do this and do that. That's how I feel that's how that. started cuz nobody's going to do my. sister's not going to go crazy. if it's about some food. Yes, we all. haven't ate.
we didn't eat all day. So you know you. get hungry attitudes or whatever, but. I wouldn't say over food. I wouldn't say. over. >> Someone else is injecting herself in the. issue. >> Yes, the issue was she had nothing to do. with no situation. I'm not sure if her. and the cashier were friends or related. cuz you know people step up for family. always. That's understandable, but she I'm not. sure if she was a stranger or family. She just stepped up and automatically. just said I'll get my I guess she felt. tried and she said I'll get my either. file or pistol or something. She had.
somebody come inside. >> You said she had someone come inside? >> Mhm. >> Who was that she had come inside? >> I'm not sure if it was a male or female. >> Yeah, unfortunately. the female that was shot she was. deceased now. She didn't make it. That's the unfortunate part about this. incident. >> So what does that mean for my sister? >> Um we don't know yet. We're still. investigating, but right now. >> Do y'all do y'all could look at the. cameras? Do they got cameras that you. can. >> Yes, we got them. >> Like you can hear video video footage?
>> Yeah, well we we're getting that now, but we we we got cameras on there trying. to get access to that now, okay? >> Then you have another sister who's. providing more details to this other. officer bringing up for the first time. that McDonald's employees allegedly. suspected the women were trying to pay. with counterfeit money. >> So. without. Let me ask you cuz they're going to ask. you all that. If this fully out there.
how did it get to how did it get to. that? You know what I'm saying? >> Well we got in there. Mind you they already messed they said. claimed that we had fake twenties, but. we didn't we didn't have fake twenties. Then we got to. >> Oh, it was somebody that worked there? >> Yeah, they was like, we had fake. twenties. We had fake twenties. Y'all. never gave us the food and our change. You know what I'm saying? Okay, so when. y'all give us our food or whatever, mind. you, we in the drive-thru at first. Y'all give us our food, we ain't got. half of the food. So, we start telling them like, "We. missing this. We missing that." So, they. getting attitudes and shit, but y'all. should have had it right. So, we was.
like, "All right, we just going to come. in inside." So, we come in inside. We. standing at the counter. I'm standing. like this way, but I'm I'm I'm just. standing at the counter, but I'm turned. it towards the counter. So, the girl is like, "Oh, we telling the. lady what?". >> No, but but what I was getting mad at is. the how you doing? with. There was so many of y'all. Like, none. of y'all I guess it could have happened. so fast cuz none of y'all got. Stop telling me to to the one that. >> I didn't We didn't even know my little.
sister had the on her too. Y'all into. me. This was a prank. And before my sister even. for not that she had gun later, I. already called her for that. Y'all, I. had all y'all whole widow. I pulled out. exactly what kind of house y'all had. They were like, "I can't put the. camera." She was like, "I had all. right." She started probably People was. coming in there. She was like, "I had. y'all whole shot." Woo woo woo. So, then. my sister turned around. She was like, "Hell, who shot?" You know, to let her. know her like, Woo woo woo. I got one, too, like type. shit. So, the lady was just standing woo. woo woo. So, mind you, by this time when. they argue, I'm still walking back and.
forth to my table to back over there to. my table to get my food and. So, the lady start putting her hand in. my face doing all of this. So, I put my. hand back on her. I was like, "Stop. putting your hand in my face." Like, doing her hand like that. She mushed me. She mushed me two times and we start. fighting. Then, when me and her start. fighting, then that's when the gun went. off, but I know that it was my sister. that shot. So, when the gun went off, everybody start running running running. I turned back around cuz I I ain't see. my sister come outside. So, when I. turned back around, I stepped back. I. see lady laying on the floor. I see lady. laying on the floor. My sister is still. in there and the man had up the got up.
pistol on my sister. >> So, while the detectives are doing these. interviews at headquarters, there is. another officer who has the horrible job. of updating. Tamika's family at the hospital. >> How y'all doing? How y'all doing? How y'all doing? My. name is Officer Berlin with the Atlanta. Police Department. >> That's my mom. >> That's mom, okay. They told you what's. going on? >> I want to see my baby. I need to see my. baby. >> Okay. So, right now it's a homicide. investigation, okay? Uh, let me close.
the door. So, it's a homicide investigation, okay? Um, with a homicide investigation. there's a lot that goes into it, okay? Um, your child is. unfortunately deceased. So, she's. considered a victim, okay? We have a lot. of uh investigators and officers on the. current scene of the incident and they. have to do search warrants and collect. evidence and detain who they need to. detain to make sure that we're doing. everything correctly, okay?
Um, your child has been worked on here. The. ME is here, but I've been told and given. strict strict orders um. not to allow you guys to see um your. child until the until everything is. completely done with the investigation. And that's been I've been told by the. lead investigator, okay? Um, once they do what they need to do. with their end, you'll probably receive. a phone call, okay? Letting you know. um. if you can see your child and identify. your child, but I'm I'm just an officer.
The lead investigator is the currently. working your child's scene right now on. RDA, okay? >> Do they have both suspects? >> Right now I I'm not sure what's going on. on the scene. I was rushed to the. hospital with your child to make sure. that she was getting treatment. So, I'm. not sure what's going on on the scene. right now. >> Okay. >> Okay? But, I just wanted to make sure I. reached out to you and I tell you guys. my condolences. Um, you know, stuff like this should never. happen, you know what I mean? But,
once the lead investigator gets enough. information, you guys will be notified. Specifically you, since you're the. mother. >> So, do she need to leave her contact. information with. >> Do they have anything? Did you reach out. Were you guys on scene? >> Uh once I got done at the girl, I left. >> So, you didn't speak to anybody? Okay. You have uh. Can I get. You got any name information? >> Yeah. I'm going to put it in our chart. here, but I don't know how that works. with you. >> Well, can I get a spare piece of paper. so I can get her information so I can.
make sure she gets out with the. investigator. Yeah, I got her ID. When I need her ID, like I said, from her clothing down to. undergarments, everything is evidence. because they have to conduct their own. investigation reference to the ME, reference to our homicide investigators, stuff like that. So, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you're going. through this, man. I really am. Like I. said, stuff like this should not happen. at all. Um it's just, you know, people.
um just don't know how to. That's [snorts] That's Mom. Your name is. This is the. >> It's Tamarica. They got the same name. >> Oh, you guys got the same name? Okay. Like I said, my condolences. Um it. really really hurts, especially during. the holiday season. But for senseless violence to take. place, I don't think that if that's okay. at all. Um. Whose birthday? >> My mother. >> I'm sorry to hear that.
>> Yeah. >> And you said you got you got a good. working number, correct? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um is there any other questions that you. need me to answer? >> I just want to see my baby. Y'all ain't. going to let me do that. I don't know. what to say. >> I mean, um I spoke to I spoke to the chaplains. The only thing that can be possibly. done, um. she's going to be covered the entire. time. Okay? Um so, yeah, I just don't feel like I. just don't feel like it's going to be. worth it. to go in the room and not see her if.
that makes any sense. >> That makes plenty of sense. >> So, I don't want to bypass Grady rules. I want I don't want to bypass Grady. rules, you know what I mean? Since. they're the lead operations here, so. >> Okay, we're going to go. >> Okay. >> They're not going to let me see her. It's a homicide. Okay. >> This is the chat. >> Open it. >> Can we have a murder practice? >> I'll step out.
My condolences, y'all. >> Mhm, okay. >> So, let's go back to Tenaya. What about. her? When investigators put her in an. interview room and they left her there. for hours. She was able to get out of. her leg shackles to go to the bathroom, but then it was back to being alone with. her thoughts. And after a couple hours, investigators came in to speak with her. >> You know, I'm Investigator Francis. >> And Investigator McAllen. >> Um, we definitely want to talk to you. about what happened that took place.
today. Um, just want to ask you a few. questions. But before we do that, um, can I get your first name? >> Tenaya Evans. >> Spell it for me. >> T e n a y a e v a n s. T e n a y a e v a n s. >> Okay, so. that is your last name. And what's your. date of birth? And what's your highest level of. education? >> Uh, some college.
>> Okay. And is English your first language? >> Yes. >> Okay. And I'm not asking you this to be. offensive, it's just standard, okay? Just to make sure you understand, okay? So, I'm going to. read you your Miranda rights before we. ask you any questions. And we're going. to make sure that you understand, okay? So, you have the right to remain silent. Do you understand? Anything you say will be used in court. as evidence against you. Do you. understand?
You are entitled to have a lawyer now. and have him present now or at any time. during questioning. Do you understand? If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will. be appointed for you without cost and he. may be present at all times during your. questioning. Do you understand? You can decide at any time to exercise. these rights and not answer any. questions or make any statements. Do you. understand? And I'm going to ask you again and I. need for a verbal answer, please. Do you understand these rights?
>> Yeah, but I need a lawyer. I need I got. to. ask you something. >> You said you didn't. >> I got to talk to my sister for my. lawyer. >> Okay. So, do you but I I still have to ask you. the rest. >> Mhm. >> Do you but let me ask you again, do you. understand these rights? [music]. Do you wish to talk? >> Do you wish to talk to us at this time. without a lawyer?
Okay. So, no. >> I can call I can call my mama like. cuz. the lawyer I don't even know how to get. in contact with the lawyer. >> Mhm. Okay. Tell me something. >> This one. Okay. Um. >> [clears throat]. >> So, um we're with the homicide unit. Um. unfortunately today that girl she uh. deceased. at the hospital, okay? That's the unfortunate part.
I'm going to honor this fact that you. want to speak with your lawyer, but. unfortunately you're going to be charged. for that, okay? All right. Um. give me a second. I'll be back in here. I'll let you speak with your mom over. the phone, okay? >> Now, after another 2 hours and Taniya. trying. every single possible way to sit in that. chair, she's finally able to call her family. >> Do you know Do you know what number you. need to call? >> Yeah, come on.
>> Keep it on speakerphone. >> Mom. >> Taniya, we've been waiting on you to. call. >> Oh, please help me. I need I need a.
lawyer or something. >> You Okay, so listen. Listen. Do not make. no Do not make no statement. We've been. talking to lawyers already. They're. going to come down there and talk to you. tomorrow. They said do not talk over the. phone. Do not talk about it over the. phone. You You're going to be okay. >> All right. >> [snorts]. >> Yeah, oh, I'm on that, baby. You're. okay. >> Momma and Apple are home. >> I want to come home. >> I know you do. I know you do. >> You just got to calm down and stop. crying and everything will be okay.
>> Is there a way you can call You can call. Avery at the flight? We put the time on the phone and lawyer. dad is like. Um I mean, yeah, lawyer dad is sleeping. up with time on the phone laying on your. floor. >> All right. >> You want to. >> Um you already got like a PIN and stuff. like that where like we can call you, enter a PIN, and stuff like that? >> No, I'm. I'm at the headquarters in this room. I'm like. >> Oh, you're still down there? >> Yeah.
>> And they got to ask you a question. Did. you write a statement? >> No. I said I didn't want to talk. >> Yeah, that's good. Keep it like that. Do. not talk until your lawyer talks to you. Renee Rothwell is your lawyer. Put time. in. Mom, I'm. >> to run her down there and see what they. saying and stuff like that. She going to. try to get your bond here and all that. >> [snorts]. >> So, just be quiet. Don't talk about it. with nobody. We going to wait here and see. I already. got the keys. >> Yeah, who know what happened if they. some other people been recording that. was in there. Everything is all It's.
going to be all right. >> What's your name again? >> All right. What the hell are you okay? >> No. What do I do? Go. >> Oh, my goodness. All right. >> You can't do. >> I know. >> I just got to scroll right now so. everything can get settled and stuff. till we get everything situated. >> Oh, they want something else. >> All right. >> I ain't going to let you get your stuff. I ain't going to get They don't give. bonds for murder.
So, I'm I'm just being honest with you. They don't give. >> give bonds for murder. >> Okay. Well, that's your Once again, that. is the story you chose to go with. I'm. going to investigate it. But, I also need you to understand that. there's video camera of everything that. went down, okay? >> I'm so quiet. >> So, that is the story that you want to. go with, fine. But, I'm also telling you. that. they Seldomly do they give bonds for. murder. >> Huh? >> They don't really give bonds for murder. So, you're probably sitting right there.
until your trial comes. >> How long will I usually be? >> Could be years. >> I'm saying all right. But, my lawyer. Even if I get a lawyer. >> Even if you get a lawyer, there's no. there's no guarantee that your trial is. going to come immediately. So, it could. be 6 months to a year before you go to. trial. And you'll do it for you know you'll do. first appearance. You'll do preliminary. hearing. You'll do things like that. And. then, like I said, that's where things. going to go from there. But, seldomly do. they give bonds for murder.
>> Not even self-defense. >> Seldomly do they give bonds for murder. >> Huh? >> So, if they So, you'll get a pre You'll get. a pre them, right? So in pre limbs. they'll play the video from the tape. And based upon what the judge sees in. that video or whatever, the only thing that I can say is they. may make the determination if you are. deemed a bond. I've been doing this long. enough to say based off that video. they're not going to fall for they're. not going to they're they're like I said. it's murder. You wouldn't be you wouldn't be being. charged if it wasn't if we didn't think.
that's sufficient evidence. >> [snorts]. >> Do you have any more questions? >> So what like what what are they saying? >> You're being charged with murder. >> Yeah, I'm going to like how many. >> How many what? >> How long? >> How long is what? Do you get that do you. get done that? >> How long do they I'm staying in. >> Murder murder carries murder for murder? You mean prison? >> Yeah. >> 25 to 30 years. >> And the officer's prediction was.
correct. Tenaya will spend decades in. prison for what she did. According to Fulton County court. records, she first pleaded not guilty to. the charges of murder, felony murder, possession of a firearm during the. commission of a felony and aggravated. assault. But Tenaya's attorney was able. to negotiate a plea deal where she. apparently entered a guilty plea to. voluntary manslaughter, possession of a. firearm during the commission of a. felony and aggravated assault. Seems. like that felony murder charge was. dropped and in November of 2024, Tenaya.
was reportedly sentenced to 25 years in. prison. So 20 years for manslaughter and. aggravated assault and then another five. after that for the firearms charge. That's all we have for you right now. here on Sidebar. Everybody, thank you so. much for joining us and as always, please subscribe on YouTube, Apple. Podcast, Spotify, wherever you should. get your podcast. You can also check us. out on NBC's Peacock [music] as well. If. you want to follow me, X, Instagram, my. NewsNation show Jesse Watters Primetime. Monday through Friday, [music] 11:00. p.m. Eastern. I'll see you next time, everybody.
>> Mhm.
