VIENNA, Ga. (AP) — A shooting at a block party in rural southern Georgia over the weekend resulted in two fatalities and nearly three dozen injuries. As of Monday, no arrests have been made, and authorities have not provided new information regarding the incident.
Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy reported that over 50 shots were fired early Sunday in Vienna, where more than 1,000 attendees were celebrating a homecoming football victory. The deceased have been identified as Ja'Quavion Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville. According to Sara Lue, a spokesperson for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the two men are not related.
Authorities stated that 35 individuals were injured, with most suffering gunshot wounds, while others were hurt in the ensuing chaos. Some victims were hospitalized with critical injuries. The motivation behind the shootings remains unclear, and officials have not disclosed whether they are searching for a single shooter or multiple suspects.
Sheriff Peavy noted that large gatherings can sometimes lead to problems, particularly when attendees come from various locations. Local officials confirmed that the block party was not sanctioned by the school and did not have a city permit. The sheriff had deployed additional deputies in anticipation of the crowd due to the homecoming festivities.
Peavy did not respond to a phone message on Monday, and Lue indicated that no further updates were available from state investigators who typically assist in significant cases in Georgia's rural areas.
The shooting disrupted what had been a largely peaceful celebration of Dooly County High School's homecoming football game in Vienna, a city with a population of approximately 3,000, located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Macon. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many people fleeing when the gunfire erupted.
Antoria Felton of Jonesboro, who traveled to Vienna with her daughter and six other girls, recounted the sudden shift from a peaceful gathering to panic as bullets flew. She expressed concern for the safety of the girls amidst the chaos, stating, "Everybody scattered out everywhere, everybody running. It was terrifying."