Mass Shooting at Georgia Homecoming Block Party Leaves 2 Dead, 35 Injured
Two young men were killed and 35 people were injured when gunfire erupted at a crowded homecoming block party in the small South Georgia city of Vienna early Sunday morning.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. As of Sunday, no arrests had been made and authorities had not identified a suspect or a motive. Investigators also have not said how many people opened fire or whether the shooting grew out of a dispute.
What Happened
The shooting broke out at about 1:25 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, in the 900 block of Pine Street in Vienna, the county seat of Dooly County, about 50 miles south of Macon.
More than 1,000 people had gathered for the block party, which was part of Dooly County High School's homecoming celebrations, according to Newsweek. At least 50 shots were fired. Homecoming weekends in small towns often draw former students and families back home for football games, parades and parties, and the street was packed when the shooting began.
Dooly County sheriff's deputies were already patrolling the event when they heard the gunfire and responded immediately, according to CBS News. Two men were found dead several blocks away, in the 600 block of Pine Street.
"This weekend was supposed to be a celebration," Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy said. "A thousand people were on the streets for a homecoming block party, until... folks heard popping."
The Victims
The Dooly County coroner identified the two men killed as Ja'Quavion Aderious Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Malik Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville, WALB reported. Autopsies will be performed by the GBI Medical Examiner's Office.
Of the 35 people injured, 25 were shot, and 10 others were hurt in other ways. The injured ranged in age from 14 to 54, and their conditions ranged from critical to stable.
Most of the wounded were taken to Crisp Regional Hospital in nearby Cordele, which began receiving patients shortly after 2 a.m. As of Sunday afternoon, 26 patients remained hospitalized there. Two people had emergency surgery, two were transferred to other hospitals, and several were treated and released.
"The tragic events of this morning simply should not happen in our otherwise peaceful South Georgia communities," said Crisp Regional Hospital CEO Steven Gautney.
A Community in Mourning
Local leaders expressed grief over the violence that turned a school celebration into a crime scene.
"Our hearts are with the families grieving the loss of loved ones," said Dooly County Schools Superintendent Dr. Sherrod Willaford.
State Rep. Patty Stinson said, "It was very heartbreaking to wake up this morning to learn that a mass shooting took place in Vienna."
The shooting is the latest in a series of deadly attacks this year, including a Seattle food festival shooting in July at another crowded public event, and a Virginia workplace shooting just days ago.
How to Help the Investigation
The GBI is asking anyone with information, photos or video from the block party to come forward.
Tips can be shared with the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Perry at 478-987-4545, anonymously at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest or conviction.
Once the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Cordele Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office.
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