Twelve people were shot when two groups exchanged gunfire at Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, early Sunday morning, according to Sheriff David Davis. The shooting occurred shortly after midnight on September 27, during an 18th birthday celebration.
Party moved to park after eviction
Davis said during a news conference that a group of young people went to the park to celebrate a woman’s 18th birthday after being kicked out of a home rented for the party several hours earlier. At some point, another group arrived, and a confrontation broke out.
“Both groups exchanged words, brandished firearms and then began firing at each other,” Davis explained. Surveillance video from the park shows gunfire lasting about 30 seconds as people fled the area.
Victims and investigation
Deputies responded and found that victims had been taken to a nearby hospital in personal vehicles. Injuries were reported among a 19-year-old male, four 18-year-old males, five 17-year-old males, and two 18-year-old females. Two people were in critical condition; the others were stable.
“There’s no indication that any of these individuals who were injured at this time participated in the gunfire,” Davis said. No arrests were immediately made, but investigators had several persons of interest. Deputies impounded four vehicles that brought victims to the hospital and three left at the park, and they interviewed 10 witnesses.
Police presence expected
“There’s going to be some heavy police presences in some places coming up over the next few days as we make some arrests in this,” Davis said. Also Sunday morning, police in Detroit responded to an after-hours strip club where an argument led to gunfire, killing three and wounding four. No arrests were immediately announced.
