A mother of five died after being caught in a shootout while buying slushies with two of her young children at a gas station in Ferguson, Missouri, authorities said.

The victim was identified as Shakeela Martin, 35, who was shot shortly before midnight Tuesday outside a BP gas station, located at the intersection of South Florissant Road and Woodstock Road.

Police believe he was an innocent victim.

According to the Ferguson Police Department, the shooting occurred after an argument that started inside the convenience store escalated to the parking lot, where multiple shots were fired.

Investigators believe that Martin was not involved in the altercation and that she was hit by bullets when she returned to her vehicle with her children, ages 9 and 6.

“He was here to buy some drinks for his young children,” Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle told First Alert 4.

"They are physically unharmed, but obviously emotionally affected. You can only imagine what a child goes through when witnessing the murder of their mother," he added.

Another man remains in critical condition

In addition to Martin, an adult man was also injured by gunfire and taken to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

The authorities have not specified whether that man participated in the previous discussion or if he was the target of the attack.

So far, police have also not determined what caused the confrontation inside the store.

The family was preparing to begin a new stage

Martin's relatives reported that the woman was about to move with her children to a new home.

According to a fundraising campaign created after his death, the move was scheduled for the day after the shooting and, to celebrate, he had taken two of his children to buy slushies.

“Our hearts are broken as we mourn the unimaginable loss of our beloved Shakeela Martin, who was taken from us too soon, at just 35 years old,” the campaign states.

The organizers describe Martin as “a mother dedicated to her five beautiful children, who were the center of her world,” and explain that the family seeks to raise funds to cover funeral expenses and support the immediate needs of the minors.

Investigation continues without arrests

Ferguson Police reported that no arrests have been made and the investigation is open to identify the person responsible for the shooting.

Authorities asked for the public's cooperation and urged anyone with information about the case to contact investigators or the CrimeStoppers line.