Two men were killed and dozens of others injured in a shooting at a block party early Sunday morning in Vienna, Georgia, authorities reported. The incident occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Pine Street, where an estimated 1,000 people had gathered for the event, which was held during Dooly County High School’s homecoming week.

Brett Walls, the coroner for Dooly County, confirmed that two men, ages 20 and 23, died at the scene. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) reported that 35 people sustained injuries, although it was not immediately clear how many were related directly to gunfire. The injured were transported to several medical facilities, with Crisp Regional Hospital in nearby Cordele receiving 26 patients. According to the hospital, two individuals underwent emergency surgery, two others were transferred to different hospitals, and several were admitted for ongoing care. Many victims received treatment and were released the same day.

Authorities responded quickly after the shooting began, despite gunfire continuing near the scene as deputies arrived. Sheriff Craig Peavy of the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office described the incident as one of the most unexpected and challenging he has encountered in his 42-year career. No arrests had been reported as of Sunday afternoon, and the motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.

The block party was not officially sponsored by Dooly County High School, which noted in a statement that while the event was independent from the school, the violence could nonetheless affect its students, families, and staff. The school expressed gratitude for community support and extended thoughts and prayers to those impacted.

Vienna, a city with a population of about 4,000, is located approximately 56 miles south of Macon. The GBI continues to assist local law enforcement agencies with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Deputies were reportedly on patrol at the block party when the violence erupted. Officials have urged the public to provide any information that could aid the inquiry.