Two people have been killed and 35 injured after gunfire broke out at a large block party in Vienna, Georgia, during homecoming weekend.
Shots were fired at about 1.25am on Sunday, October 4, in the 900 block of Pine Street, where more than 1,000 people had gathered for an unofficial celebration.
Dooly County Sheriff’s Office deputies were already patrolling the area when the shooting began. They found several people wounded and later discovered two men dead in the 600 block of Pine Street, a short distance away.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the victims were taken to several hospitals across the region. Authorities have not released a detailed breakdown of the injuries, including how many people were struck by bullets.
Gunfire erupted at Georgia block party
Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy said more than 50 shots were fired from at least two locations around a block apart, with people fleeing in different directions as officers tried to secure the scene.
“We don’t know if it’s coming at us or someone else,” Mr Peavy said. “You just have to keep doing what you’re doing and hope you don’t get hit by gunfire.”
The two men who died were aged 20 and 23, according to Dooly County Coroner Brett Walls. He described the scene as horrific and said some people may have been injured while trying to escape.
Emergency crews faced heavy traffic and continued reports of gunfire as they reached those needing medical attention. Support was sent from the Georgia State Patrol, Houston County, Perry Police Department and the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office.
The gathering was held near the Dooly County Recreation Department gym and coincided with homecoming activities at Dooly County High School. School superintendent Sherrod Willaford said the shooting was not connected to a school-sponsored event, but additional safety measures and support for pupils were being arranged.
Vienna Mayor Eddie Daniels said the shooting happened about a block from his home. He said the city had not issued a permit for the party and that he had not been briefed on what led to the gunfire.
Investigation remains under way
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has opened six investigative work units to identify those responsible. No arrests, motive or confirmed number of gunmen had been announced by Monday.
“Please turn yourself in, because we’re doing everything we can to find out who you are,” Mr Peavy said.
Autopsies on the two men killed are due to be carried out by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office. Investigators said the completed case file would later be passed to the Cordele Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone with information, photographs or video from the event has been urged to contact the GBI regional office in Perry or submit an anonymous tip through the bureau’s reporting services.
