SAVANNAH, Ga. — Olislene “Tina” Smith, a woman who was hospitalized after suffering heart complications during the terrifying Oglethorpe Mall shooting on July 2, has sadly passed away,
Smith, described by loved ones as kind, vibrant, and full of life, was at the mall when chaos broke out after gunfire erupted inside the shopping center. While she was not physically shot, the trauma of the incident caused severe heart complications that ultimately led to her hospitalization. Despite medical efforts, Smith succumbed to those complications.
The Savannah Police Department released a statement following her death, expressing condolences to the family and confirming that her passing may now impact the direction of the ongoing criminal investigation.
“We are working closely with the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days to determine appropriate charges and to whom,” SPD said in a statement.
The original incident resulted in two juveniles being hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Authorities previously announced that both would face charges for possession of a firearm while under the age of 18.
Smith’s death underscores the broader impact of gun violence — not just on those directly struck, but on innocent bystanders whose lives are forever altered by the trauma. Her passing marks a heartbreaking turn in a case that has already shaken the Savannah community.
Community members have since called for increased security at the mall and a deeper conversation around youth violence and gun access.
As the investigation continues, Smith’s family, friends, and the community mourn a life lost not by a bullet, but by the aftermath of fear and stress caused by gunfire in a place where families shop, gather, and expect to feel safe.
