2 more arrests made in Georgia block party mass shooting that killed 2, injured dozens, GBI says
Two more people have been arrested in connection with a mass shooting at a South Georgia homecoming block party that left two people dead and 35 injured.
On Wednesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that its agents and members of the Dooly County Sheriff's Office arrested 36-year-old Kelcey Smith and 40-year-old Johntavirous Robinson.
Both Smith and Robinson were residents of Cordele, Georgia, and are facing two counts of participation in criminal street gang activity, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence.
The arrests come less than a week after investigators took 17-year-old Khadarius "KD" Ray of Dooly County into custody, charging him with one count of possession of a firearm/handgun under the age of 18 and one count of participating in criminal street gang activity.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
Deadly shooting shocks South Georgia city
The shooting happened early Sunday morning in the city of Vienna, about 50 miles south of Macon, at a party on Pine Street that spanned four blocks, officials say. Authorities estimated that more than 1,000 people had gathered to take part in the celebration when gunfire broke out.
Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy said more than 50 shots were fired. The two people killed were identified as Ja'Quavion Jackson, 21, of Cordele, and Macaleb Jackson, 23, of Hawkinsville. The 35 people injured ranged in age from 14 to 51.
Peavy said the festivities began Friday night, and that it had "gone well" with "respect from the community" that evening as deputies patrolled the event.
But the party Saturday night was a "different story," he said.
"We're still working through the investigation to see what went wrong. But at large parties with people from different places, not just your locals, sometimes problems come," he said.
Authorities have shared few details about what led up to the shooting and have not given a possible motive for the gunfire.
Mayor Eddie Daniels declared a state of emergency on Monday, imposing a temporary curfew for 72 hours. That curfew was extended last week as well as on Wednesday and will remain in effect until rescinded by the mayor.
