Mass shooting at Georgia street party leaves two dead

Gunfire killed two people and wounded 35 others early Sunday during an outdoor high school celebration in the US state of Georgia, sending hundreds fleeing amid at least 50 rounds.

Chaos erupts during outdoor party

More than 1,000 people were gathered for the traditional high school festivities in the small rural county when gunfire suddenly erupted. Witnesses reported utter panic as attendees desperately scrambled to find cover, with shots continuing to ring out even after emergency police units arrived at the scene.

“I could have died. The seven girls who were with me could have died. Some people actually died,” said one survivor who was wounded by gunfire. “Bullets were flying from left to right. Nobody knew who was going to be hit. Even a lady on the side street was struck, even though she wasn't even at the party.”

Investigation underway as suspects remain at large

Local medical personnel confirmed that the wounded victims range in age from 14 to 51, with the majority hospitalized in critical condition. First responders described the incident as one of the most severe emergencies they had encountered in the area.

“I've handled many cases and been through many difficult situations, and I think this is the one that caught me most by surprise,” an emergency responder said. “You simply cannot prepare for something like this, but you learn from it. Unfortunately, many people have suffered.”

The suspects fled immediately following the attack, and police investigators have not yet established a motive or determined how many individuals opened fire. The tragedy follows another violent incident in Georgia last week, when 12 teenagers sustained injuries in a shootout during a birthday party.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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Mass shooting at Georgia street party leaves two dead

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