Who Was Shakira Gatlin? Dancing Dolls Star Shot Dead At 18, Mom Confirms

Who is Shakira Gatlin: Dancer and influencer Shakira Gatlin has died at the age of 18, her mother confirmed on social media Thursday. The teen was best known for being a part of the group Dancing Dolls for Life that was associated with television reality show Bring It! Condolences are pouring in for Gatlin online as fans mourn her death.

As per reports, Gatlin was shot at Barnes Street, Jackson on the evening of February 3. Alleged mishandling of a loaded gun resulted in a single gunshot wound to Gatlin. A male youth is being questioned in connection to the case as investigation progresses.

"Why!!!! Why!!!!! I just can't catch a break!!!! Just buried my husband now I have to buried my baby!!! They deserved to live...Please put them dam guns down!!!" Gatlin's mother Erica Robinson wrote in a Facebook post, adding a photo of her late daughter and husband together.

"She didn't deserved this!!! Shakira Gatlin momma love you so much!!"

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Gatlin was one of the leaders of her dance group, shortened as DDFL, and had been a member since 2015. After the death of her father, Derrick, Gatlin reportedly was of big support to her mother and siblings.

In a post marking her father's birthday in January this year, Gatlin wrote, "happy heavenly birthday dad ilove and miss you to the fullest ik u watching ova us n imma do all i can to make sure we all good i promise " 

Reports suggest it is unclear how Derrick died.

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Dianna Williams, famous as Miss D, the studio owner and director of DDFL, in an emotional post wrote, "I’m sitting here trying to process thoughts and nothing comes to mind but sheer hurt and Pain…. We lost one of our babies last night… The Shakira i knew was always laughing and energetic! She just wanted to dance and have fun..."

The mother of another Dancing Doll member recalled how Gatlin was a big sister to young girls in the group. "Whether it was after practice, during and after a competition or try outs she was gonna find her Kira Kira treated her just like a little sister gave pep talks and all! It feels so unreal to be saying Rest In Peace..."

"My heart breaks for this family! No mother should have to endure this loss!!!" another social media user wrote. "I’m torn that another beautiful life was suddenly taken, Shakira was such a sweet young lady..." one condolence message read, asking for gun control laws.