Two men have been killed and 35 people injured after gunfire erupted at a homecoming block party in Vienna, Georgia, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The shooting began at about 1.25am local time on 4 October, as more than 1,000 people gathered near Pine Street in the south Georgia city. Deputies from the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office were already patrolling the area because of the size of the crowd.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the dead as Ja’Quavion Aderious Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Malik Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The 35 injured victims, aged between 14 and 51, were taken to hospitals across the region. Their conditions ranged from stable to critical, with 25 reported to have been admitted for treatment.
Georgia block party shooting investigation
Investigators said shots were fired in the 900 block of Pine Street, while the two men who died were found several blocks away in the 600 block. Some people suffered gunshot wounds, while others were injured by cars as crowds fled.
Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy said at least 50 shots were fired at two locations roughly one block apart. Officers struggled to reach victims as people ran in different directions and further gunfire was heard nearby.
“Please turn yourself in, because we’re doing everything we can to find out who you are,” Mr Peavy said during a news conference.
He added: “We don’t know if it’s coming at us or someone else. You just have to keep doing what you’re doing and hope you don’t get hit by gunfire.”
Emergency crews transported victims to Crisp County Hospital, Bleckley Memorial Hospital, a hospital in Perry and Atrium Health Navicent in Macon. Georgia State Patrol and officers from neighbouring departments also helped secure the scene.
Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said six investigative units had been deployed to interview witnesses, process evidence and identify those responsible.
No suspects have been named and authorities have not announced a possible motive or confirmed how many people opened fire. The investigation remains active.
The gathering was held during homecoming weekend for Dooly County High School but was not a school-sponsored event, according to superintendent Sherrod Willaford. Schools were due to open on Monday with additional safety measures in place.
Vienna Mayor Eddie Daniels said the city had not issued a permit for the block party. The event took place near the Dooly County Recreation Department gym on Pine Street.
Anyone with information or video from the gathering is being asked to contact the GBI’s regional office in Perry on (478) 987-4545. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the GBI tip line on 1-800-597-TIPS.
