Teens gunned down at graduation party with hundreds in attendance

Multiple teen casualties were reported after a shooting broke out at a graduation party on Saturday morning.

Police in Thomaston, Georgia, confirmed to WSB-TV that they responded to the deadly incident a little before 1 a.m. The party where the gunfire broke out was being held at the city’s Main Event at Park Place event center and had at least 200 people in attendance, most of them being juveniles.

At least one victim was killed in the shooting. Akeem Ellison, 18, was taken to the Upson Regional Medical Center for treatment, but was later pronounced dead, police confirmed.

Another teen party-goer, 17, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, was airlifted to a different hospital for treatment, while a second attendee, a 15-year-old, was also taken to the hospital for their injuries. Authorities have not confirmed what condition the two teens were in.

Investigators currently believe that the shooting began as a result of a fight between attendees. No arrests have been made as of Saturday evening and police have not released details about any suspects. The Thomaston Police Department urges anyone with information relevant to the case to call (706) 741-1899.

Thomaston has a population of over 8,700 and is located roughly 64 miles south of Atlanta.

Newsweek reached out to the Thomaston Police Department for comment.

With high school and college seniors beginning to graduate, a number of shootings have recently been reported at graduation parties. Last week, a similarly sized party in Fayette County, Georgia, also played host to a shooting after a fight broke out on the street. At least 50 rounds were fired, resulting in two men being wounded and numerous cars being damaged, according to WSB-TV.

“Each year Fayette County Deputies and Investigators respond to similar parties near the end of the school year,” the Fayette County Sheriff wrote in a statement on Facebook. “Many have a similar outcome where too many unwanted guests arrive and the overcrowding and often alcohol leads to arguments and gunfire. These parties have unfortunately ended in injury and death over the last several years.”

Another shooting was reported on Friday at a graduation party in Anniston, Alabama, with around 150 people in attendance. At least six attendees, ranging in age from 14 to 20, were injured, but are expected to survive. Meanwhile, another person was injured while attempting to flee the party. Several firearms were recovered from the scene, which was littered with shell casings.