Police investigate possible gang-related violence
Savannah police are investigating a shooting that occurred on Friday night, leaving one person dead and eight others injured, including an 18-month-old baby and two teenagers. The shooting happened around 9 p.m. on Collins Street, where a group of people were standing outside a home. According to police, a dark-colored or red sedan drove by and opened fire on the crowd, then fled the scene.
The victim who died was identified as 20-year-old Arthur Milton of Savannah. Two of the adults who were wounded are in critical condition at the hospital. The baby and the teenagers, aged 15 and 16, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Police Chief Roy Minter said the shooting was “disturbing and senseless” and that it involved at least three apartments and six vehicles that were damaged by gunfire. He said the home that was targeted was the same one that was sprayed with bullets on Tuesday, but no one was injured in that incident.
“We don’t think it was a coincidence,” Minter said at a news conference on Saturday. He added that the shooting may be related to gang activity and that the police are looking for possible suspects and witnesses.
Residents express fear and frustration
The shooting has shaken the residents of the east Savannah neighborhood, who said they are afraid for their safety and frustrated by the lack of security. Some of them said they heard dozens of shots and saw people running for cover.
“I was scared. I didn’t know what to do. I just grabbed my kids and got down on the floor,” said Latoya Brown, who lives near the scene of the shooting.
Brown said she has been living in the area for six years and that she has witnessed several shootings in the past. She said she wants to move out but she can’t afford it.
“I don’t feel safe here. I don’t feel like my kids are safe here. I don’t feel like anybody is safe here,” she said.
Another resident, James Jones, said he was angry that the shooters did not care about the innocent lives they endangered.
“They have no regard for human life. They don’t care who they hit. They don’t care who they hurt. They don’t care who they kill,” he said.
Jones said he hopes the police will catch the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“I hope they get what they deserve. I hope they rot in jail,” he said.
Mayor urges community to cooperate with police
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson condemned the shooting and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. He also urged the community to cooperate with the police and help them solve the crime.
“This is not who we are as a city. This is not what we want for our city. This is not acceptable in our city,” Johnson said in a statement.
Johnson said he has been working with the police department to implement violence prevention programs and increase patrols in high-crime areas. He said he is also seeking more funding from the state and federal governments to address the root causes of violence, such as poverty, education, and mental health.
“We need everyone’s help. We need everyone’s eyes. We need everyone’s ears. We need everyone’s mouths,” Johnson said. “If you see something, say something. If you know something, say something.”
Johnson said anyone with information about the shooting should contact CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or submit an anonymous tip online here.
