A 25-year-old mother from Covington, Georgia, died on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, following a shooting in a grocery store parking lot in Stonecrest. Shyla Alisha Cummings was sitting in a parked vehicle in the 3000 block of Panola Road at the Publix shopping center when gunfire erupted.
Her 7-month-old daughter, Sariyah, was secured in the backseat and remained unharmed. DeKalb County Police responded around 7:20 p.m. and found both adults suffering from gunshot wounds. Cummings was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspected shooter was identified as 23-year-old Isaiah Tarver. Investigators determined that Tarver and Cummings had been in a long-term on-and-off relationship. Tarver allegedly shot Cummings before turning the gun on himself inside the vehicle.
He sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to a hospital in stable condition. He faces a charge of murder with malice and is being held in the DeKalb County Jail. The incident has been classified as a domestic violence homicide.
Cummings had been preparing to start nursing school in the fall. She was described by family members as a devoted mother who cherished her role raising Sariyah and had expressed deep joy in having a daughter. Her parents noted that she became more independent and responsible after welcoming her child. She was also known as a kind, caring, and vibrant woman who maintained close bonds with family and friends.
Her father, Roston Cummings, shared an especially close bond with his daughter, often referring to her as his twin and a lifelong “daddy’s girl” despite her independent adulthood. He noted the striking resemblance between Shyla as a baby and her own daughter Sariyah. Her mother, Shameeka Cummings, recalled Shyla as her vacation partner and someone striving toward a bright future, emphasizing the profound loss felt by the entire family.
Following the tragedy, Cummings’ family has focused on caring for young Sariyah. They have also called for greater awareness around domestic violence and urged parents to stay involved in their adult children’s lives. Tarver remains in custody. No bond information has been released. The investigation continues, though authorities have classified the case as a domestic violence homicide.
Cummings was 25 years old. She was a mother, a aspiring nursing student, and a woman described as full of light and laughter. Those are the details her loved ones are sharing as they mourn. Anyone wishing to support the family may reach out through local community contacts in Covington. The 7-month-old daughter is now being cared for by relatives. No funeral arrangements have been publicly announced.
