"It could have been you, your mama, your sister, your brother, your cousin...," said Lorenzo Williams, the victim's brother. "You don't want that phone call. I'm telling you don't want that phone call."
Williams received the call that his 24 -year-old sister, Anna Williams, was in critical condition Sunday night. He immediately flew home from the West Coast where he is a graduate student and athlete mentor, encouraging students to avoid violence.
"I went ballistic," he said, describing the incident as senseless. "We just want justice."
Just after 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Anna's parents said she took a break from packing to grab a bite to eat. She was preparing to move into her own apartment, and wanted to make a deposit at the ATM.
Surveillance photos show just after 9 p.m., a gunman approached Williams on the passenger side of a car at the Wells Fargo drive-up ATM in the 4500 block of Raeford Road. Her friend, who was driving, reported the man said "Hey," before shooting Williams in the back.
"She was an innocent person," said Anna's father, William Williams on Monday. "She just went to the bank innocent and he shot her for no reason."
Williams' parents told ABC11 the bullet also punctured her right arm, liver, and stomach. Williams' female friend rushed her to the emergency room, where she is stable and improving.
Police continue to search for the gunman, who never demanded or stole any money.
"Speak up," her brother encouraged Wednesday. "Speak up. I know ya'll know [more information]. I know ya'll know."
Lorenzo Williams said he had left his sister's bedside for the first time Wednesday afternoon, making a plea for help to the community.
"That innocent face. I hope it resonates with everybody," said Williams. "I hope it encourages people to speak up, because we're all innocent."
He said the random act of violence illustrates a bigger issue in the community, and a reason why he left town. Annie, he said, is selfless and kind, and deserves justice.
"If it's not safe enough to go to a gas station, an ATM, then what kind of community are we living in? Are we in a war zone right now?"
Anyone with information is asked to call Fayetteville Police at (910) 433-1856 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS.
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