Georgia mass shooting: 2 killed at block party, 35 recovering

Vienna shooting leaves two dead at party

Two people died and at least 35 others were injured after gunfire erupted at a homecoming rally in Vienna, sparking an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in Dooly County.

VIENNA, Georgia. – A late-night homecoming celebration ended in tragedy Sunday when gunfire rang out across four blocks in a small, historic South Georgia town.

Two men were killed and 35 others injured.

Emergency crews and law enforcement from several counties rushed to secure the scene while victims were transported to area hospitals.

Mass shooting in South Georgia

What we know:

A crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered for an unofficial block party near West Palm and the Dooly County Recreation Department gymnasium in the 900 block of Pine Street. Around 1:25 a.m. Sunday, gunfire rang out as deputies were stationed at both ends of the street to manage traffic.

Officers rushed to the shooting and located two deceased men, identified as Ja’Quavion Aderious Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Malik Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville. Authorities said 35 other victims, ranging in age from 14 to 51, suffered injuries ranging from critical to stable.

Dooly County Coroner Brett Walls called the scene horrific after both men died from fatal gunshot wounds. Most of the 35 victims suffered gunshot wounds, while others were hit by cars as crowds fled the area.

Multi-agency response

In figures:

Traffic jams and continuous gunfire a block away complicated initial rescue efforts as emergency crews worked to reach the injured. Responders transported the victims to Crisp County Hospital, Bleckley Memorial Hospital, a hospital in Perry and Atrium Health Navicent in Macon.

Sheriff Craig Peavy had 22 officers working Friday night during the peaceful homecoming festivities, but by Sunday morning he needed support from the state and neighboring agencies. The Georgia State Patrol, Houston County, Perry Police Department and Crisp County Sheriff’s Office sent personnel to assist Dooly County deputies.

Officials describe chaos

What they say:

“Please turn yourself in, because we are doing everything we can to find out who you are,” Peavy said at a news conference. Peavy said people were going in all directions and additional shots were fired about a block away while officers were already there.

“We don’t know if it’s coming from us or from someone else,” Peavy said. “You just have to keep doing what you’re doing and hope you don’t get hit by gunfire.”

GBI Director Chris Hosey said six investigative task units have been activated throughout the region to identify suspects. Vienna Mayor Eddie Daniels said the shooting happened about a block from his home, adding that the city had not issued a permit for the block party.

Vienna, echo of the Mâcon shooting

Local perspective:

The block party was held at the Dooley County Recreation Department gymnasium, located in the 900 block of Pine Street in Vienna.

The incident took place during Dooly County High School’s homecoming weekend.

The shooting did not occur during a school-sponsored event, said Sherrod Willaford, superintendent of the Dooly County school system.

“We recognize that its impact may affect many of our students, families and staff,” he said in a statement. Schools will open on Monday, he said, but additional safety measures have been put in place. He did not specify what it was.

Vienna is about 130 miles south of Atlanta and about 50 miles south on the Interstate 75 corridor of the central Georgia city of Macon, where authorities say 12 teenagers were shot and injured during a confrontation between people at a birthday party last week at a city park.

Officers found two people dead at the scene and several others who had been shot, officials said. Police did not say how many of the 35 injured were shot or provide details of the injuries or their severity. The victims were taken to several hospitals for treatment, the GBI said.

Manhunt for shooters

What we don’t know:

Investigators have not identified any suspects, named any potential motives or determined how many shooters opened fire. Authorities have not confirmed what argument or specific event sparked the first shots before the crowd dispersed in the four-block area.

Assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation

What you can do:

Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information or video of the block party to contact the GBI Perry office at (478) 987-4545 or the tip line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online or through the free See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Cordele Judicial Circuit Review

What’s next:

The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct autopsies on Jue’Von Jackson and McCaleb Jackson. Once state agents complete their investigation, the entire case file will be forwarded to the Cordele Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.

Dooly County High School Superintendent Sherrod Willaford confirmed the shooting did not occur during a school-sponsored event. Willaford said schools would open on Monday with additional safety measures in place to support students and staff.