Savannah, GA – In a bustling tourist area of Savannah, Georgia, eleven people were injured late Saturday night as a result of a mass shooting that unfolded after an argument between two women escalated. The dispute, which initially began in an establishment that remains unnamed, spilled over into Ellis Square in Savannah’s historic district just moments before midnight, according to Police Chief Lenny Gunther. Of the eleven individuals injured, ten of them were struck by gunfire.
During a news conference, Gunther explained that a single gunshot set off a chain reaction, prompting multiple individuals to discharge their weapons at each other, ultimately leading to the wounding of several innocent bystanders. The identities of the victims range from 20 to 38 years old, and local TV station WTOC reports that law enforcement officials do not believe the shooting to be gang-related.
However, the Ellis Square incident was not an isolated event, as it was one of five shootings that took place in Savannah over the weekend. Two of the shootings resulted in fatalities, while the other two left non-life-threatening injuries. As if to emphasize the frequency of such incidents, a shooting at a Savannah intersection on Saturday night claimed the life of one man and resulted in a juvenile sustaining injuries.
Mayor Van Johnson addressed the recent surge in gun-related violence, citing the proliferation of firearms as a contributing factor. He emphasized the urgent need for reasonable gun control laws to be enacted, as well as the importance of responsible gun ownership. Johnson urged gun owners to secure their firearms to prevent theft and stressed the significance of individuals carrying firearms understanding how and when to use them.
Authorities continue to investigate the mass shooting at Ellis Square and are working to determine the cause of the eleventh injury. While some victims were treated at the scene, others were transported to local hospitals for medical attention. Fortunately, all individuals harmed in the shooting are expected to make a full recovery.