Two people died and 35 others were injured early Sunday morning when gunfire erupted during an unofficial homecoming block party in Vienna, Georgia, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The violence occurred around 1:25 a.m. on Pine Street, where a crowd of more than 1,000 people had gathered near the Dooly County Recreation Department gym. Vienna is located about two hours south of Atlanta and approximately 50 miles south of Macon on the Interstate 75 corridor.
The deceased have been identified as 21-year-old Jue’Von Jackson of Cordele and 23-year-old McCaleb Jackson of Hawkinsville. Dooly County Coroner Brett Walls described the scene as “horrific.” Of the 35 injured victims, who range in age from 14 to 51, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office stated that 25 were shot, while others were struck by vehicles as the crowd fled. Injuries range from stable to critical.
Sheriff Urges Suspects to Surrender After Chaotic Shootout
Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy stated that deputies were already stationed at both ends of the street to manage traffic when the shooting began. Peavy described a chaotic scene where officers had to push through panicked crowds while additional shots were fired a block away. Peavy urged the suspects to turn themselves in, stating, “we’re doing everything we can to find out who you are.” Peavy noted that while 22 officers worked Friday’s peaceful festivities, Sunday’s event required help from the Georgia State Patrol, the Perry Police Department, Houston County, and the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office.
Sherrod Willaford, superintendent of the Dooly County School System, clarified that the gathering was not a school-sponsored event but acknowledged its impact on students and staff, noting that additional safety measures would be in place when schools opened Monday.
Emergency Medical Efforts
Crisp Regional officials said they activated trauma and emergency response protocols shortly after 2 a.m. to treat patients from the scene, which was located approximately nine miles from the hospital.
Community Reaction
On Sunday morning, approximately 100 people held an impromptu prayer vigil at the courthouse in Vienna. In a statement, Congressman Sanford D. joined the community in mourning the loss of the two men and offering support to the wounded. Witness Ashley Gee described hearing a constant barrage of bullets that sounded “like a machine gun” before the crowd began to run.
The investigation remains active. The GBI will perform autopsies on the deceased. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the See Something, Send Something app, online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
Sheriff Peavy vowed to seek justice for the victims, stating, “I give the families my word that we’re gonna pursue and try to have justice for them.” He told Channel 2’s Michael Doudna, “This weekend was supposed to be a celebration.”
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