Two men were killed and 35 people were injured early Sunday morning in a shooting at a block party on Pine Street in Vienna, Georgia.
Dooly County Coroner Brett Walls identified the deceased as men ages 20 and 23, both pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds around 1:15 a.m. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that 35 others suffered injuries, some from gunfire and others from vehicles as the large crowd fled the area.
Deputies with the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office were already patrolling the event when shots rang out near 1:25 a.m. More than 50 rounds were fired across at least two locations roughly a block apart, according to Sheriff Craig Peavy. Over 1,000 people had gathered for the homecoming weekend celebration, though local school officials clarified it was not a school-sponsored event.
Victims were transported to multiple area hospitals for treatment. Some sustained serious wounds while others had minor injuries. The scene was described as horrific by officials on site.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe at the request of the sheriff’s office. No suspects have been identified and a motive remains unknown as the investigation continues. Authorities are urging anyone with information or who was present to come forward.
Vienna, a small community about 56 miles south of Macon, saw the block party draw a massive crowd with limited formal oversight. Deputies noted the event was winding down when the violence broke out, with gunfire continuing even as first responders arrived.
Schools in Dooly County are set to reopen Monday with added safety measures in place due to the incident’s potential reach into the student population.
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