Sheriff promises adult charges for teen shooters and their parents in Georgia after a park party erupts in non-stop gunfire
12 people were injured in the shooting.
Law enforcement officials have arrested two men following a massive shootout that left 12 teenagers injured at a birthday party in a Georgia park. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on September 27, 2026, at Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon. According to USA Today, investigators identified the suspects as 20-year-olds David Pitts and Jaquez Bailey. Both men are currently being held without bond at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center.
Pitts faces 12 counts of aggravated assault party to a crime, while Bailey is charged with 12 counts of aggravated assault. The violence unfolded after a group gathered at the park to celebrate a young woman’s 18th birthday, per the Associated Press. This event originally started at a short-term rental property in Jones County. The owner of the Airbnb forced the group to leave because of concerns regarding their activities.
The partygoers then moved to the skatepark area inside Carolyn Crayton Park. This location was well past the official 10 p.m. closing time for the facility. A second group arrived at the park shortly after the partygoers regrouped. According to Bibb County Sheriff David Davis, the two groups exchanged words and brandished firearms. This confrontation quickly escalated into a chaotic scene of gunfire.
Sheriff Davis described the incident as a horrific chain of events
A surveillance camera on a park maintenance building captured about 30 seconds of non-stop shooting. The video shows the crowd fleeing in terror as the gunfire rings out. According to GPB, investigators found a large number of spent shell casings at the scene. They believe multiple weapons were used, including some that were semi-automatic or automatic.
The victims were aged between 17 and 19 years old. The group included four 18-year-old males, five 17-year-old males, and two 18-year-old females. A 19-year-old man later arrived at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. This brought the total number of victims to 12. Two of the victims were in critical but stable condition at the Atrium at Navicent Hospital. The remaining victims were reported in stable condition.
Sheriff Davis noted that there is no indication that the injured individuals participated in the gunfire. The influx of victims and their families forced hospital staff to secure the area. The emergency department was placed on lockdown to manage the situation. Investigators have interviewed 10 witnesses to help establish a clearer timeline. They have also seized seven vehicles for forensic examination.
Authorities are still working to determine what sparked the initial dispute
They are examining potential motives, including gang involvement, personal conflicts, or school-related tensions. No formal cause has been established at this time. The sheriff emphasized that his team is working tirelessly to resolve the case.
Sheriff Davis previously stated that he would push for adult charges if any minors were involved in the mass shooting. He also expressed a firm intent to hold parents and guardians accountable. The sheriff believes that adults close to the suspects likely knew about the presence of these weapons. He intends to charge any adult connected to the incident if possible.
The young people involved in the party were students from several local schools. This includes Central High School, Northeast High School, the local school district’s online school, and the SOAR Academy. The Bibb County School District reached out to students on September 27 to offer counseling services. This support is intended to help them process the aftermath of the violence.
Authorities are reviewing social media, witness statements, and public tips. Sheriff Davis noted that there is no known connection between this shooting and any earlier permitted events at the park. He warned that the community should expect a heavy police presence in certain areas as the investigation continues.
This shooting occurred on the same day that another violent event took place in Detroit
Three people were killed and four others were wounded during an argument at an after-hours location in Detroit. The proximity of these events adds to the gravity of the situation in Macon. Sheriff Davis remarked that this is certainly not the way that he wants to see a Sunday start.
The sheriff’s department is urging anyone with information to contact them or the Macon Regional Crime Stoppers. Investigators are committed to making further arrests as they follow up on various leads. The community continues to deal with the shock of such a large-scale violent event. Families and school officials are working together to support the students who were caught in the middle of the shootout.
The rapid response from deputies was aided by their existing efforts in the area. Investigators had been conducting searches and canvassing for other suspects in recent shooting cases. Because they were already in the field, they were able to arrive at the park quickly.
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