Two people died and 35 others were injured after a mass shooting erupted at a neighborhood block party in Vienna, Georgia, early Sunday morning. Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy reported that more than 1,000 people were present when over 50 shots were fired in at least two locations approximately a block apart.
Deputies on patrol reported the initial gunfire around 1:25 a.m. on the 900 block of Pine Street, according to a statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff's office subsequently requested GBI assistance. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds. The agency identified the deceased as Jaquevion Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville.
The 35 injured victims, whose ages range from 14 to 51, were transported to hospitals for treatment. Most suffered gunshot wounds, while several others were hit by cars or sustained other injuries while fleeing the scene. Their conditions range from stable to critical.
Sheriff Peavy described the chaos at a Sunday press conference, noting that people were "going every direction" and that additional gunfire erupted about a block away even as officers arrived. "We don’t know if it’s coming at us or someone else," he said. "You just have to keep doing what you’re doing and hope you don’t get hit by gunfire."
The incident occurred during homecoming weekend for Dooly County High School. Sherrod Willaford, superintendent of the Dooly County School System, clarified that the shooting did not take place at a school-sponsored event. He stated that schools would open on Monday but that additional safety measures had been implemented. Willaford acknowledged that the impact of the violence may reach many students, families, and staff.
Vienna Mayor Eddie Daniels said the city had not issued a permit for the block party and was unsure if it was related to homecoming. Authorities have not arrested any suspects, identified a motive, or determined how many shooters were involved. Peavy urged those responsible to turn themselves in, stating, "Please turn yourself in, because we're doing everything we can to find out who you are."
The investigation remains ongoing. Vienna is located about 130 miles south of Atlanta and roughly 50 miles south of Macon on Interstate 75. The recent violence in the region follows an incident last week in Macon, where 12 teenagers were wounded by gunfire during a confrontation at a city park birthday party.