VIENNA, Ga. — Two people were killed and 35 others injured after gunfire erupted at a crowded homecoming-weekend block party in Vienna, Georgia, early Sunday morning, in what authorities describe as a mass-casualty scene spanning several blocks.
Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy said more than 50 shots were fired at no fewer than two locations about a block apart on Pine Street, shortly after 1:20 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. More than 1,000 people had gathered for the neighborhood block party, which coincided with homecoming weekend for Dooly County High School but was not a school-sponsored event, according to authorities.
The two people killed were identified as Ja’Quavion Aderious Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Malik Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville. The 35 injured — ranging in age from 14 to 51 — were transported to multiple regional hospitals with conditions ranging from stable to critical. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said many suffered gunshot wounds, while others were injured by vehicles or in the frantic effort to escape.
Dooly County deputies were already positioned near the gathering because of the crowd size when the shooting began. Peavy said that after deputies moved toward the initial gunfire, additional shots erupted at a nearby location. Deputies discovered the two dead in the 600 block of Pine Street.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office. As of Monday afternoon, no arrests had been announced, no suspects or persons of interest had been publicly identified, and no motive had been established. Investigators are interviewing witnesses, reviewing video, and collecting evidence across the large crime scene; the case file will go to the Cordele Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review once the investigation concludes.
A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Perry at (478) 987-4545 or submit anonymous tips to 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
Gov. Brian Kemp said the state is “in contact with our law enforcement partners statewide and in Dooly County.” U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock said he was “closely following the horrifying news” and praised first responders. U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop said his office “stands ready to help in every way we can.” Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms said she was “heartbroken by the tragedy in Vienna.”
The Dooly County School System said it expects to increase security as schools open, noting the violence could affect students, families, and staff.
