Neighbors Believe Shootings Near Freedom Park Are Likely Gang-Related

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon police responded to two shootings just blocks apart from each other Saturday afternoon and neighbors believe the recent violence is gang-related.

The first shooting happened at Freedom Park around 2 p.m. Authorities say a teenage boy was shot in the arm near the basketball court.

At around 3 p.m. near Morgan Drive, Macon Police officers responded to a female teen shot in the leg during a drive-by shooting. According to a news release from MPD, the teen sustained a bruise, not a bullet wound.

Residents like Brinceson Sanders believe the violence stems from a  brewing turf war. He thinks Saturday’s shootings are gang-related.

“There’s always this one gang of boys walking down the street all the time with their pants hanging down,” Sanders said, “cursing and talking loud and I don’t like it.”

Right before the first shooting happened, Sanders said he spotted a group of boys hanging out at the corner of Morgan Drive.

“There were about ten boys coming up that way,” Sanders said pointing near Freedom Park, “I went back in the house, next thing you know I heard a bunch of shooting.”

Authorities say a gold, tan or champagne Honda Accord was seen at both Freedom Park and on Morgan Drive during the times the shots were fired. Investigators are now searching for the Honda Accord believed to be involved. MPD has not confirmed if the shootings are gang-related.