A late-night birthday gathering in Macon, Georgia, turned violent early Sunday morning when gunfire erupted at Carolyn Crayton Park, leaving 11 teenagers injured, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency dispatchers received reports of a shooting at the park just after midnight. As deputies raced to the scene, they learned that several wounded victims were already being rushed to a local medical facility in personal vehicles for emergency treatment.
Authorities confirmed that the 11 victims comprise four 18-year-old males, five 17-year-old males, and two 18-year-old females. Medical personnel reported that an 18-year-old male and a 17-year-old male suffered critical injuries, while the other nine victims remain in stable condition. The group included students from Central High School, Northeast High School, and the Bibb County VIP program.
How the Gathering Unfolded
Bibb County Sheriff David Davis explained during a Sunday news conference that the incident began as an 18-year-old girl’s birthday celebration. The gathering was initially scheduled to take place at an Airbnb in Jones County, but the host forced the group to leave after guests brought firearms onto the property.
The teenagers subsequently relocated to the skate park area inside Carolyn Crayton Park. According to investigators, another group arrived shortly afterward, leading to an argument that quickly escalated into gunfire. Investigators recovered shell casings indicating multiple weapons were used.
Law enforcement impounded several vehicles from both the hospital and the park for forensic processing, and investigators interviewed roughly 10 witnesses at the Criminal Investigation Division.
Ongoing Investigation
As of Sunday afternoon, law enforcement has made no arrests, and officials have not released suspect descriptions or a definitive motive. The FBI is assisting local authorities due to the scale of the incident, though investigators maintain that all current evidence points to a local dispute.
Sheriff Davis urged community members to come forward with any details that could help identify those responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500 or submit anonymous tips to Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.
