LaGrange community shaken by deadly party shooting: 1 dead, 6 injured

LAGRANGE, Ga. - A Georgia State University student was killed and six others were wounded in a mass shooting at a house party over the weekend in Troup County, authorities said.

SEE ALSO: 7 shot at LaGrange party: 1 dead, 6 injured, according to police

Seminary Street mass shooting

What we know:

Javeon Dukes, 19, was fatally shot just after midnight at a home on Seminary Street, according to LaGrange police. 

The shooting occurred during a backyard gathering that had drawn dozens of young people. 

Six other victims, ranging in age from 16 to 21, were wounded and taken to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center. 

At least one remains in critical condition.

Officials said the gathering was the last of a series of locations where large crowds had formed Saturday evening. 

The party originated near Cameron Mill Road at a lake access point in Troup County before dispersing to several sites throughout the city, eventually ending at the Seminary Street home.

The victims range in age from 16 to 21. The six others injured in the shooting were identified as Monteja Hand, Aja Pruitt, Jadarius Blackman, Shakayla Cofield, Titus Dunlap and Yanna Leonard. One remains in critical condition.

Who is Javeon Dukes?

Dig deeper:

The victim killed was Javeon Dukes, a junior at Georgia State and a dean’s list student. His cousin, Nykeria Boddie, was also at the party and said her family is devastated by the loss.

"I'm hurt," Boddie said. "He was an innocent person."

She described the moment chaos erupted during what had been a fun evening with friends.

"We were all in the backyard, having a good time listening to some music," she said. "To get down and make sure everybody was okay. As I got down, I was telling Javeon Dukes, I was like ‘get down.’ But I did not know he was already shot."

Dukes died shortly afterward.

"He was a good person," Boddie said. "He lightened up your day, he smiled, he never had bad vibes."

She said her cousin was dedicated to his schoolwork and his family.

"He went to work, he did his school work, he came home to help take care of his younger siblings, helped his mom and dad when they needed and everything."

Jaylen Maddox, a friend of the victims, underscored the senselessness of the violence.

"There were seven innocent bystanders who were shot," he said. "And one is gone and never coming back and we’re hurt."

LaGrange mayor calls shooting ‘senseless’

What they're saying:

"Our hearts are hurting today," Mayor Jim Arrington said during a news conference at City Hall. "This should never have happened. The violence we witnessed is absolutely senseless. It has shaken our community, and it must stop."

LaGrange Police Major Dale Strickland said officers were monitoring the gatherings and had asked crowds to disperse peacefully throughout the evening. Officers had spoken to the homeowner on Seminary Street shortly before the shooting, requesting that music be kept down and that guests remain in the backyard. Compliance was met, and officers left the area just minutes before shots rang out.

"Within three minutes of leaving, an officer nearby heard gunfire. Almost immediately, 911 calls started pouring in," Strickland said. "Our officers responded quickly, provided medical aid, and even transported some victims to the hospital."

Police have not yet identified a suspect or released a possible motive. They confirmed that multiple shots were fired and that the shooting was not anticipated despite the heavy police presence. The homeowner, who was present at the party, is not expected to face charges at this time.

Dukes’ cousin, Shant Dukes, described the scene as a "backyard party" that turned tragic.

"They shot into a crowd of kids," she said. "It was at my cousin's house around the corner. One of my cousins was pronounced dead, another is in critical condition, and a couple of females got shot."

She called for greater accountability and stronger community action. "It’s pitiful," she said. "People need to sit down and stop all this killing."

City officials say they have recently increased resources to combat violent crime, including the addition of a crime suppression unit, new surveillance cameras, and a drone system capable of rapid deployment. But Mayor Arrington stressed that policing alone won’t solve the problem.

"We cannot police our way out of this," he said. "We need families, churches, and the entire community involved. LaGrange is a city that cares. I know we can come together and be stronger if we stand united."

Call LaGrange Police

What you can do:

Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the shooter.

"If you saw something, no matter how small, please let us know," said LaGrange Police Maj. Dale Strickland. "We can work with a little bit of information and turn it into something productive."

Anyone with information is urged to contact LaGrange Police Detective Randazzo at 706-883-2684 or submit anonymous tips via Tip411 by texting the keyword "LAGRANGE" to 847411. Photos and videos can also be submitted through the platform.

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