East 13th Street in Rome turned into a crime scene Thursday afternoon after a reported shooting near Banty Jones Park, shutting down traffic and drawing a heavy law enforcement response as residents looked on from nearby apartment buildings. Aerial video showed multiple patrol cars clustered around the blocked stretch while officers worked the scene. Authorities have not yet released details about any injuries or whether anyone has been detained.
Heavy police response on East 13th
SKYFOX 5 flew over shortly after 4:30 p.m. and captured images of about a dozen police vehicles sealing off the roadway, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. The closure was centered on a section of East 13th Street near Banty Jones Park, where a row of apartment buildings runs along the block.
Victims, suspect status still unclear
"Police have not yet released information regarding the condition of any victims or whether a suspect is in custody," the station reported, adding that investigators had not yet determined what led to the gunfire. Neighbors described a surge of police activity and significant traffic delays as officers processed the scene.
Recent violence in the area
The shutdown comes amid a string of recent shootings in Rome, including a March 21 incident in which a 10-year-old was wounded and expected to recover, according to WSB-TV. Banty Jones Park, at 212 East 13th Street, is the city park near Thursday's scene, per the Rome-Floyd Parks & Recreation site, and the park and neighboring apartment blocks have been focal points of past police activity.
How to reach investigators
According to the Rome Police Department, anyone with information is asked to call 706-236-4400 or use the city's listed contact options. This story will be updated as officials release more details.
