Two dead, 35 injured in late-night shooting at Georgia homecoming block party

More than 1,000 people gathered for an unofficial homecoming block party in Vienna, Georgia, when gunfire erupted around 1:25 a.m. on Sunday across a four-block stretch near West Palm and the Dooly County Recreation Department gym. Deputies stationed at both ends of the street responded and found two victims dead, identified as 21-year-old Jue'Von Jackson of Cordele and 23-year-old McCaleb Jackson of Hawkinsville. Authorities said 35 additional people, ages 14 to 51, were injured, with most suffering gunshot wounds and some struck by vehicles as crowds fled.

Emergency crews transported victims to hospitals in Crisp County, Bleckley, Perry and Macon. Sheriff Craig Peavy, who had 22 officers on duty for Friday night festivities, said additional state and neighboring agencies, including the Georgia State Patrol, Houston County, Perry Police Department and Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, were called in to assist. GBI Director Chris Hosey announced that six investigative units were deployed to locate suspects.

Peavy told reporters, "Please turn yourself in, because we're doing everything we can to find out who you are," and added that officers were uncertain whether the gunfire was directed at them or elsewhere. Vienna Mayor Eddie Daniels noted the event had no official permit, and Dooly County School Superintendent Sherrod Willaford confirmed the shooting was not school-sponsored. He said schools would reopen Monday with added safety measures.

Investigators have not identified any shooters or a motive, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is asking the public for any information or video from the scene. Autopsies on the two deceased will be performed by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office before the case is forwarded to the Cordele Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution.