Southwest Georgia Experiences Series of Shootings Over Weekend
Ashburn Police Chief comments on multiple shootings that occurred over the weekend
ASHBURN, GA, CORDELE, GA, ALBANY, GA – Law enforcement officials across Southwest Georgia were busy over the weekend as a series of unrelated shootings broke out in different towns.
Starting off in Ashburn, where multiple shots were fired during the annual Fire Ant Festival, shaking almost 25 hundred attendees to their core.
“We were notified about a group of people that looked like they were about to fight,” said Ashburn Police Chief, Richard Purvis.
When officers made their way over to the group, they were informed someone allegedly stole a teddy bear from a game vendor.
Moments later, the group ran.
“At that point officers didn’t know if they were running to fight or whatever. So, they spread out and within about 6 seconds of them running, the shots rang out. Two of my officers had actually not made it to the carnival area, so they were able to actually witness what went on,” said Purvis.
Fortunately, no one was shot, and officers were able to safely take the suspect into custody and apprehend the firearm.
Purvis believes his officers and citizens responded perfectly to the situation.
“That incident could have easily went another way and so I really do praise them. The citizens who came out and assisted us in every way shape form and fashion has helped us. And it’s not over with. we still want cell phone video and anything else we can get because I think there was something else to it,” said Purvis.
Chief Purvis said he does not want this incident to instill fear in citizens and believes the sheriff’s office and police department will use this to implement more safety protocols for future events….
Going down the road to Cordele, on Saturday, around 3:30 a.m. the Cordele Police Department requested the GBI for a shooting that resulted in two men being shot in the 500 Block of West 24th Avenue.
Both victims were transferred to Macon to be treated.
Brandon Carter, 27, of Cordele, has been identified as the suspect. GBI agents obtained arrest warrants, charging him with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
That same afternoon, Crisp County first responders began to investigate a shooting at Georgia Veteran’s State Park after a female victim arrived at Crisp Regional with a gunshot wound, classified as a domestic incident.
Although the suspect fled the scene, Skylar Woodham was arrested around 3:15 Sunday morning in Worth county in connection with the shooting. Charges are forthcoming.
And, to add onto the strings of shootings that happened this weekend, another happened right here outside of the Albany Mall on Saturday.
According to an APD press release, the victim swiped shoulders with the suspect walking out of the Albany Mall.
That’s when an argument was exchanged, and the suspect went back to his vehicle, pulled out a firearm and began to fire shots at the victims.
Fortunately no one was hurt in this situation.
The victims said the suspect was appeared to be in his twenties and was wearing a hoodie with blue jogging pants.
Chief Purvis believes a big reason behind these shootings is the irresponsible use of firearms.
“I’m a big second amendment person, but, when they’re used irresponsibly and so what I think is some of the training that goes behind owning a gun, what to do with a gun, and how to use a gun has failed to the wayside. And, so, it’s one of my mission to get out here and push that you gun gun safety classes. But, also, some accountability on citizens as well. You have to know the law and you have to abide by the law on every incident,” said Purvis.
Updates in these cases to come when information is received.
These are developing stories. Stay with CBS 44 South Georgia for more updates.
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