Authorities in Georgia are searching for a suspect after a mass shooting at a block party in Vienna left two people dead and 35 others injured.
More than 50 shots were reportedly fired at about 1:30am on Sunday during a large gathering in the rural southern Georgia community. Around 1,000 people were believed to be at the event.
Two victims, both men aged 20 and 23, were pronounced dead at the scene. At least 25 others were taken to nearby hospitals, with some reported to be in critical condition. The victims ranged in age from 14 to 51.
The shooting occurred during a celebration connected to Dooly High School’s homecoming. However, school officials stressed that the gathering was not sponsored by the school.
“Our hearts are with the families grieving the loss of loved ones, those who were injured, and everyone affected by this tragedy,” the school said in a statement.
Dooly County Sheriff’s Office deputies had already been positioned at both ends of the crowd because authorities expected a large gathering. Sheriff Craig Peavy said officers initially received reports of what appeared to be fireworks before learning that people had been shot. Deputies then moved through the crowd as people fled in different directions, searching for victims and securing the area.
Ashley Gee, who attended the gathering, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the gunfire sounded “like a machine gun.” Investigators have not announced any arrests or identified a motive for the shooting. Both men who died were found several blocks from the main gathering area on Pine Street, according to authorities.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said its Medical Examiner’s Office would conduct autopsies on both victims. The bureau has also joined the investigation at the request of the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities described the investigation as active and ongoing as officers work to determine who was responsible for the shooting.
