Two men have been killed and 35 people injured after gunfire erupted at a large homecoming weekend block party in Vienna, Georgia, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
More than 1,000 people were gathered in the south Georgia town when shots were fired at about 1.25am, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The event was not organised or authorised by Dooly County High School, whose homecoming celebrations were taking place over the weekend.
Dooly County sheriff’s deputies were already patrolling the area because of the size of the crowd when gunfire broke out near the 900 block of Pine Street. They found several people suffering from gunshot wounds, while two men were discovered dead in the 600 block.
Dooly County Coroner Brett Walls identified the victims as men aged 20 and 23. Their names have not been released, but their families have been informed.
Sheriff Craig Peavy said more than 50 shots were fired in at least two locations around a block apart. He described a scene in which people ran in every direction, with further gunfire reported even as officers were responding.
“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.”
Investigation into Vienna block party shooting
Those injured were taken to several hospitals across the region, including facilities in Cordele, Cochran, Perry and Macon. It remains unclear how many of the 35 injured were hit by bullets, with some people hurt as they tried to escape the violence.
Crisp Regional Hospital said it had treated 26 people linked to the shooting by Sunday afternoon. Two patients were transferred elsewhere, two required emergency surgery and several remained in hospital, while others were treated and discharged.
The GBI has taken over the investigation at the request of the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office. Autopsies on the two men killed will be carried out by the bureau’s medical examiner.
No suspect has been publicly identified, no arrests have been announced and authorities have not disclosed a possible motive. Investigators have also not said what led to the shooting or whether it was connected to earlier homecoming events.
Vienna Mayor Eddie Daniels said the shooting happened about a block from his home. He said he saw emergency vehicles but had not yet received details from law enforcement.
Mr Daniels said the city had not issued a permit for the gathering and that he did not know whether it had been organised as a homecoming party.
The Dooly County School System said schools would open as planned on Monday, with additional safety measures in place. Superintendent Sherrod Willaford said officials recognised that the shooting could affect pupils, families and staff, but did not provide further details.
The violence came days after 12 teenagers were wounded during a shooting at a birthday gathering in a park in nearby Macon, about 50 miles north of Vienna. Authorities have not suggested that the two incidents are connected.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said his office was in contact with law enforcement partners in Dooly County as the investigation continued.
The GBI is appealing for witnesses, including anyone who attended the party or recorded footage of the shooting, to come forward. Information can be provided to the bureau’s regional office in Perry or anonymously through the state’s tip line.
