Two young men were killed and 35 other people were injured after gunfire erupted early Sunday at a crowded neighborhood block party during homecoming weekend in Vienna, authorities said.
Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy identified the dead as Ja’Quavion Aderious Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Malik Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the shooting began shortly before 1:30 a.m. as more than 1,000 people filled a four-block area near Pine Street.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said deputies were already patrolling the party when shots came from the 900 block. Officers found multiple wounded people and later discovered both men dead in the 600 block. Investigators identified two primary scenes about a block apart.
Peavy told The Associated Press more than 50 shots were fired. The injured ranged from 14 to 51, with conditions from stable to critical. Officials have not said how many suffered gunshot wounds; others were hurt while fleeing, including in a vehicle crash.
Crisp Regional Hospital treated 26 victims by Sunday afternoon. Two were transferred, two underwent emergency surgery, several were admitted and many were released after treatment, according to local reporting.
The gathering followed Dooly County High School’s homecoming game but was not school-sponsored. The district said classes would open Monday with additional security and crisis support for students, families and employees.
As of Monday morning, no arrests had been announced, and investigators had not released a motive or identified a shooter. The GBI asked witnesses to call its Perry office at 478-987-4545 or submit an anonymous tip online.
