Twelve teenagers suffered gunshot wounds when two groups exchanged fire during a birthday party in a park in Macon, Georgia, early Sunday morning. The shooting occurred shortly after midnight local time on September 27 at Carolyn Crayton Park in Bibb County, according to Sheriff David Davis, who spoke at a news conference.
Birthday Party Eviction Preceded Confrontation
A group of young people had gone to the park to celebrate a woman's 18th birthday after being asked to leave a rented home earlier in the evening, Davis said. At some point, another group arrived at the park, and a confrontation broke out.
“Both groups exchanged words, brandished firearms and then began firing at each other,” Davis said. Surveillance video from the park shows gunfire lasting about 30 seconds as people fled the scene.
Victims Hospitalized, Investigation Underway
Deputies responding to the park learned that victims had been taken to a nearby hospital in private vehicles. Those injured included one 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, while the others were listed as 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 made immediately, but the sheriff said investigators had identified several persons of interest.
Vehicles Impounded, Witnesses Interviewed
Deputies impounded four vehicles that brought victims to the hospital and three that were left at the park. They also interviewed 10 witnesses. “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.
Separately, early Sunday morning, police in Detroit responded to an after-hours strip club where an argument led to gunfire, killing three people and wounding four. No arrests were immediately announced in that case.
