The mother and sister of a woman shot to death outside a Statesboro bar tearfully pleaded for someone to help police solve the crime.
    Barbara Martin Hightower and Mylania Martin hope a $5,000 reward will move someone to tell police what they know about the person who shot and killed Akeila Roschell Martin, 32, in the early morning hours Aug. 19 outside the Platinum Lounge, at 2 Proctor St.
    “This is so hard for me,” Mylania Martin, 33, the victim’s sister, said during a news
conference at the Statesboro Police Department. “We grew up together, and it hurts. I never thought it was going to be the last time I spoke to my sister, and daily I wait on her call. I miss her dearly.”
    Both she and Hightower, the victim’s mother, grew emotional as they talked about Akeila Martin, a woman they said always had a smile on her face and who loved music.
    “That was my baby,” Hightower said. “She was a sweet girl, got along with everybody. It’s hard to know she’s gone. When I close my eyes at night I can see her face.”
    Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner invited the two women to the news conference so they could appeal to the public in hopes that someone with knowledge of the shooter’s identity will come forward, even anonymously, to help solve the case.
    Speaking to the public, he said, “Don’t be afraid to do what is right for an innocent victim who has done no wrong. Help bring the person responsible to justice.”
    The Statesboro Police Department and Heyward Fields, the owner of Platinum Lounge, are together offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for fatally shooting Akeila Martin and wounding Sadondra Brianna Scarboro, 21, of Sylvania, who was released from a hospital last week after treatment for her injuries.
    Hightower and Mylania Martin said they do not know Scarboro. Akeila Martin had lived in Statesboro for about the past seven years but was originally from Screven County.
    She was in a large crowd Aug. 19, outside the Platinum Lounge around 2:30 a.m. when she was killed. Eyewitnesses saw a black male talking to her seconds before shots rang out, but Turner said that although more than 100 people were interviewed after the shooting, there still is no clear description or identification of the gunman.
    Surveillance video from the Statesboro Herald, which is located across the street from the Platinum Lounge, shows people gathered outside the club, talking and standing in the parking lot. A Statesboro police car rolls past, and seconds later, the video shows people scattering and running in all directions. Many returned to the scene within minutes, however, and the officer on the scene, Cpl. Nick Davis, responded immediately and secured the scene, Turner said.
    “I’m glad we had an officer in the area. He was able to gather witnesses, recover evidence and hopefully he prevented further violence,” he said.
    “I don’t see how a person can take another person’s life and not have remorse about it,” Hightower said. “All I want is for somebody to come forward and tell these folks what they need to know. I know the people out there are scared, but no one deserves to die like that. I’m begging — if you have kids, you know how I feel right now.”
    Akeila Martin had five children, ranging in age from 9 to 15, her sister said.
    “There’s not a lot to go on at this point,” Turner said. “Somebody knows something, and we need people to come forward.” 
    He said at this point, there is no known motive in the shooting.
    He hopes the reward of $5,000 will lure someone to talk. Anyone with information should contact Detective Keith Holloway at (912) 764-9911.
   
    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.