Benefit planned for family members

ALBANY — Friends and neighbors of the West Doublegate Drive family who were victims of arson and homicide this week are planning a benefit to help.

“The neighborhood got together — we have been together since this all happened — and one of the kids recommended a lemonade stand to raise money for the family,” said neighbor Kenny Strickland. “It has grown since then. Facebook got it going, and people have already been giving donations. So, now it is going to be more of a community event where people can come hang out together, give what you can, buy some lemonade, buy some cookies and really just give back to this family that has lost so much.”

Tragedy struck the quiet neighborhood early Wednesday morning as the home, located at 2718 West Doublegate Drive, was engulfed in flames. The situation took a turn for the worse when emergency personnel arrived on the scene and uncovered the gruesome details of what had transpired.

Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards and Coroner Michael Fowler revealed the findings of the forensic investigation Thursday at a press conference.

“Three persons are deceased,” said Edwards. “The three persons are Zakyria Sanders, age 6; Jaylan Barr, age 7, and also Jacqueline Sanders age 54. There was one survivor, Isaiah Gates, age 10.”

According to Edwards, Jacqueline Sanders, the grandmother of the children, attacked Isaiah and forced him into the trunk of a car, stabbed Zakyria to death and then set the house on fire. Sanders and another child, Jaylan, were apparently overcome by smoke and were found near the back door. Both died later in the hospital.

“She accosted first Isaiah Gates, who is age 10,” said Edwards. “Then she set about attacking Zakyria, stabbing her to death.”

Edwards indicated that investigators believe the murder of the young girl took place before the ignition of the fire.

In an attempt to provide necessities, such as food, water, shelter and much-needed solace for the family, friends and neighbors are rallying to help.

“We are working on a Go-Fund-Me page,” said Strickland. “People have already been giving locally, but in the back of our minds we were thinking, ‘Let’s raise enough money to give them something now.’ The reason we are doing this is to help. The kids are really distraught. They are not sleeping at night, and we want them to know that even in the worst situations, tragedy or disaster, look for the good. Look at the firefighters, look at what they did. And then you help any way you can, and that is all you can do.”

The benefit gathering is planned for 10 a.m. today across the street from the destroyed home.

“Everything we raise is going to be given to the family,” said Strickland. “The family right now is staying in a hotel in Albany. As of right now, they are paying for the rooms themselves, which is a little concerning to me after they just went through so much. They lost just about everything. I know they had to go buy new clothes. The churches are getting involved. We have four or five different churches helping to bring meals to the family. There are 10 extended family members here in town right now from Florida.

“I sat there and watched them as they pulled up to the house the day after all of this. They seemed so lost. The dad just stood there in the yard looking at the house. I walked over and spoke with him, gave him my phone number and told him we were here to help. Mr. Sanders was asked by a family member what did he want out of here, and I heard him say, ‘I don’t want anything.’ In our heads, as givers, we are assuming that they need everything in the world. All we can do is try and make them feel better and help give them the things they need. The bottom line is, when they go back home they are going to know that Albany, Georgia, who didn’t know who they were, loved them. Just loved them. And random strangers helped them.”

For those who wants to attend, the benefit/gathering will take place across the street from the Sanders home at 2725 West Doublegate Drive. For more information on how to help or give, contact Strickland at (229) 886-9553.