Two people were killed and 35 others injured when gunfire erupted at a neighborhood block party early Sunday in Vienna where more than 1,000 people had gathered, according to investigator account.
The shooting broke out about 1:25 a.m. along Pine Street, where deputies were already stationed at opposite ends of a gathering that covered roughly four blocks.
according to a statement by Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy, more than 50 shots were fired in at least two locations about a block apart. The crowd scattered after the first shots, which widened what deputies had to secure and created what officials described as different scenes
Additional shots swept through while deputies were on the ground, and deputies had to focus on getting people out safely.
“It was very heartbreaking to wake up this morning to learn that a mass shooting took place in Vienna. I’m so sorry this has happened to all of these families who have been affected,” State Representative Patty Stinson, whose district includes Dooly County said in a statement to 13WMAZ outlet.
“I want to thank Sheriff Peavy and his team for all that they’re doing. I’m on my way to Vienna to meet with the mayor and city council so we can address this together as a team,” Stinson added.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the people who died as Ja’Quavion Aderious Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Malik Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville.
The 35 people who were wounded range from 14 to 51 years old and were taken to several regional hospitals for treatment, with conditions from critical to stable.
Most had gunshot wounds and several others were injured while fleeing, including people struck by vehicles, Officials said.
Investigators have not announced an arrest nor determined what led to the shooting. Officials said they were still interviewing victims, and the investigation remains active. With no suspect identified.
Officials were asked Sunday evening whether there was a continuing danger to the public:
“I don’t anticipate any threats to the public at this time,” GBI Director Chris Hosey said in response.
The GBI is assisting the investigation at the request of the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office, and has brought six investigative work units from across the state.
State troopers and officers from Perry, Hawkins County and Crisp County were among those who responded.
Peavy described a small agency that had put out 22 officers Friday for homecoming events, which he said drew an even larger crowd without problems that he knew of. According to him almost as many were working Saturday as officers tried to bring the block party to a close around 2 a.m. when the shooting started. The contrast, he said, was stark.
“Last night was a different story,” he added.
