Two people were killed and 35 others were injured after gunfire erupted at a crowded homecoming weekend block party in Vienna, Georgia, early Sunday, authorities said.
More than 1,000 people had gathered for the unofficial celebration when shots were fired at around 1:25 a.m., according to authorities. Deputies from the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office were already patrolling the area when the shooting began.
The two people killed were identified as 21-year-old Ja’Quavion Aderious Jackson of Cordele and 23-year-old Macaleb Malik Jackson of Hawkinsville.
The 35 injured victims ranged in age from 14 to 51, with some in critical condition and others listed as stable, according to the Associated Press. Authorities said some suffered gunshot wounds, while others were injured as people attempted to flee the chaotic scene.
More than 1,000 people gathered at block party
The shooting occurred during homecoming weekend for Dooly County High School, but school officials stressed that the gathering was not a school-sponsored event.
More than 50 shots were fired in at least two locations about a block apart, Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy told local media. Deputies moved toward the initial gunfire before additional shots were heard nearby.
Emergency crews transported victims to several hospitals across the region.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said deputies initially responded to gunfire in the 900 block of Pine Street and found multiple people who had been shot. Two victims were later found dead in the 600 block of Pine Street.
Vienna Mayor Eddie Daniels said the city had not issued a permit for the block party, according to the Associated Press.
Dooly County schools were expected to reopen Monday with additional security measures following the shooting.
GBI investigating as no motive identified
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.
Authorities had not announced any arrests or identified a motive as of Sunday evening. Investigators were still working to determine what led to the shooting and who was responsible.
The GBI has asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators. The agency saiTwo killed, 35 injured in shooting at Georgia homecoming block party
Two people were killed and 35 others were injured after gunfire erupted at a crowded block party during homecoming weekend in Vienna, Georgia, early Sunday.
Law enforcement officials are still working to determine what led to the shooting, which unfolded across several blocks of the small southern Georgia community. More than 1,000 people had gathered for the event, according to the Associated Press.
Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy identified the two people killed as 21-year-old Jaquevion Jackson of Cordele and 23-year-old Macaleb Jackson of Hawkinsville. Authorities have not said whether the two were related.
The injured ranged in age from 14 to 51 and were taken to several hospitals across the region. Some remained in critical condition Sunday evening, while others were listed as stable.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said some of those injured suffered gunshot wounds, but authorities had not yet determined exactly how many people were shot.
More than 1,000 people attended the block party
More than 1,000 people were gathered at the event when the violence broke out. Peavy said more than 50 shots were fired in at least two locations about a block apart.
Deputies were already near the gathering when the shooting began. As officers responded to the initial gunfire, additional shots were heard about a block away.
The event took place during homecoming weekend for Dooly County High School, but school officials said the block party was not sponsored or organized by the school.
Sherrod Willaford, superintendent of the Dooly County School System, said officials recognized that the shooting could affect students, families and staff. Schools were expected to reopen Monday with additional security measures in place.
Vienna Mayor Eddie Daniels said the shooting occurred about a block from his home. He also said the city had not issued a permit for the block party.
Dooly County Coroner Brett Walls described the scene as “horrific,” according to the Associated Press. He said multiple people were struck by bullets, while roughly a dozen others were injured as they tried to escape.
Vienna is a small community about 130 miles south of Atlanta and approximately 50 miles south of Macon.
Investigators search for suspects and motive
No arrests had been announced as authorities continued their investigation, and officials had not identified a possible motive for the shooting.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office in determining what happened and identifying those responsible.
Authorities have also not said how many people may have fired weapons during the incident.
The shooting came one week after 12 teenagers were wounded in gunfire during a confrontation at a birthday party in a park in Macon, according to the Associated Press.
Investigators are asking anyone with information or video related to the Vienna shooting to contact authorities. Once the investigation is completed, the case is expected to be forwarded to the Cordele Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
