A teen night marred by gunfire has left a small Georgia town in mourning. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has detained a 15-year-old in connection with a deadly shooting at an after-prom celebration in Fitzgerald, GA. Four people were caught in the crosshairs, with one tragically losing their life and three others suffering injuries. Chyell Paulk, also 15, was the victim who succumbed to the ordeal.
In the wake of the violence, the GBI slapped the unnamed juvenile with a slew of charges, including one count of felony murder and three counts of aggravated assault. The teenager is also facing a charge for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to a statement from the GBI. Law enforcement rushed to East Pine Street in Fitzgerald after reports of the shooting emerged around 1:10 a.m. There, amidst the chaos, they discovered the four victims, promptly transporting them to a local hospital, where Paulk was later pronounced dead.
As this community grapples with the aftermath of such a heinous act, the investigation into what spurred this teenage shooter to open fire continues to unfold. The incident has shaken the residents of Ben Hill County, all victims being their own. Fitzgerald Police Department, who initially requested GBI assistance, and the state's investigative authorities are now piecing together the evening's tragic events. The public has been urged to step forward with any potentially lead-bearing information by contacting the Fitzgerald Police Department or the GBI's Perry office.
The GBI is accepting anonymous tips through various channels, including a tip hotline, an online platform, and via See Something, Send Something mobile app. Once the investigative net is pulled in and every shred of pertinent data is wrangled, the case will be turned over to the Crisp Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, where the journey from investigation to prosecution will begin. For now, a veil of sorrow hangs over Fitzgerald as the community looks for answers and the families of the victims search for closure.
