A block party in Vienna, Georgia, turned deadly early Sunday morning when gunfire erupted at two locations about a block apart, killing two people and injuring 35 others, according to Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy.
More than 1,000 people had gathered for the party when more than 50 shots were fired around 1:25 a.m. on the 900 block of Pine Street, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said. Deputies were already patrolling the event when the shooting began. The sheriff’s office asked the GBI to assist with the investigation.
Two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Most of the 35 injured suffered gunshot wounds, while others were hurt by passing cars or in the chaos as the crowd fled. All 35 were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Sheriff Peavy described a chaotic scene in which people scattered in every direction, and additional gunfire broke out about a block away even as officers were responding.
“We don’t know if it’s coming at us or someone else,” Peavy said at a Sunday press conference. “You just have to keep doing what you’re doing and hope you don’t get hit by gunfire.”
The injured range in age from 14 to 51, with conditions ranging from stable to critical, according to the GBI.
The two people killed were identified as Jaquevion Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville.
The shooting took place during homecoming weekend for Dooly County High School, though school officials and the mayor say the gathering was not connected to the school. Superintendent Sherrod Willaford said the event was not school-sponsored but acknowledged its effect on the community.
“We recognize that its impact may reach many of our students, families, and staff,” Willaford said in a statement.
Schools in the district reopened Monday with added safety measures in place. Vienna Mayor Eddie Daniels said the city had not issued a permit for the block party and said he was uncertain whether it was tied to homecoming.
No arrests have been made, and authorities have not identified a motive or said how many shooters may have been involved.
“Please turn yourself in, because we’re doing everything we can to find out who you are,” Peavy said.
The investigation is ongoing. Vienna sits about 130 miles south of Atlanta and roughly 50 miles south of Macon along Interstate 75, where 12 teenagers were wounded in a shooting at a birthday party in a city park the previous week.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login