Four teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 were shot and hospitalized following a violence outbreak at Briscoe Park in Snellville on the evening of Saturday. Witnesses at the scene described an altercation involving two large groups which quickly escalated into gunfire. Zedrick Patterson, present at the park, told FOX 5 Atlanta, "I already knew when I saw the crowds coming it was going to be a commotion. I see two crowds, big crowds, come together, and they started arguing." Moments later, he heard the shots: "All I hear is, ‘Boom, boom, boom, boom,’ and I’m gone!"
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has taken to actively investigate the incident, and while no suspects have been arrested, Snellville Police Department has assured there is no ongoing public safety threat. Information about the condition of the teenagers remains undisclosed. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and have established a tip line at 770-985-3555. In a statement obtained by 11Alive, it was noted that, "The GBI Crime Scene Unit is processing the scene, and investigators are actively following up on leads."
Snellville PD and GBI are calling for community assistance to piece together the events that led to the shooting. The park, located along Lenora Church Road, was crowded that Saturday night, providing potential for numerous eyewitnesses. Snellville PD has yet to release further details about possible suspects or the circumstances surrounding the confrontation, as the investigation is ongoing.
The police responded to the emergency just before 9 p.m., finding the injured teens and swiftly coordinating their transport to local hospitals for treatment. Although the identities of the shooter or shooters remain unknown, the community has been quick to provide a tip line, hoping to gather crucial information that could lead to an arrest and, ultimately, to provide some sense of justice for the wounded teenagers and their families. "At this time, no additional information is available," the Snellville PD conveyed through a Facebook post, as they encouraged witnesses to contribute any pertinent details they might have, according to 11Alive.
