Eleven people were injured in a shooting rampage late Saturday in the busy tourist town of Savannah, Georgia, after two women got into an argument.
The argument between the women began at an unnamed establishment and escalated to Ellis Square in Savannah’s historic district just before midnight, Police Chief Renee Gunther said at a news conference. Ten of the 11 injured were shot.
“One shot rang out, and that triggered other people to shoot,” Gunther said. “Multiple people fired their weapons at each other, resulting in multiple people being shot.”
Investigators have not disclosed the cause of the 11th person’s injuries. Some victims were treated at the scene, while others were taken to hospital. All shooting victims are expected to recover.
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Police cars and crime scene tape are seen cordoning off the area where a mass shooting occurred in Savannah, Georgia on May 18, 2024. (WJCL via AP)
Local television station WTOC said the victims were between 20 and 38 years old, and police do not believe the shootings were gang-related.
The Ellis Square shooting was one of five mass shootings in the city over the weekend, authorities said. Two of the shootings resulted in fatal injuries.
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According to police, 10 of the 11 people injured were shot. (WJCL via AP)
The first two weekend shootings in Savannah occurred on Friday. None of the injuries were life-threatening, and they were arrested. On Saturday, police responded to a report of a home invasion and found the boy’s body inside the home. Initial reports said shots were fired after residents were confronted by armed intruders.
A shooting at a Savannah intersection Saturday night left one man dead and another boy injured.
A high school senior who was about to graduate was killed when a college student drove drunk at 131 mph.
The shooting occurred just before Memorial Day weekend in a tourist area known as Ellis Square. (WJCL via AP)
Mayor Van Johnson said the proliferation of guns is a contributing factor to mass shootings and that sensible gun control laws are needed. He also stressed the need for gun owners to protect their weapons from theft and for those carrying guns to know when and how to use them.
“We must insist on smart gun legislation,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a press conference on Sunday. “And on the other hand, we have to insist that people act responsibly with those weapons.”
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Aerial view of Ellis Square in Savannah, Georgia. (Google Maps)
Scenic and historic Savannah Georgia, visible from the Savannah River, is home to the Georgia Queen Riverboat. (Joe Soum/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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The shooting occurred a week before Memorial Day weekend, which is a busy time for tourists. Mr Gunther sought to assure people that police staffing levels were sufficient to protect public safety.
Ellis Square is located in Savannah’s Historic District and is a popular area for tourists and locals alike. Developed in 2010, it is known for its large fountain and life-sized statue of songwriter Johnny Mercer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
