Sunday Douglas shootout leaves homes damaged

DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) -Douglas Police are looking for a group of high schoolers who got into a weekend shootout spanning several blocks.

They said gunshot detectors reported 20 shots fired during the shootout that happened Sunday. The shooting extended across 4 to 5 blocks of the residential area including on Roper Street.

Neighbors tell WALB they’re thankful they weren’t caught in the crossfire as some bullets pierced through their homes.

“By the time we got in the bed, it said pow pow pow pow. It sounded like it was just hitting things,” said Linda Coates, a Douglas resident.

A stray bullet went straight through Janie Taylor’s house leaving a hole on her front and back door. The bullet ended up still lodged in the front of her freezer.

“So quite naturally I had to purchase a new freezer. I was afraid, and I didn’t know what to do. I thought somebody was just shooting actually at this house,” Taylor said.

But what was happening was a big shootout that started near several other homes.

Jaquan Moore, 25, suffered from two gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital in Savannah for further treatment.

Neighbors say enough is enough.

“Get the guns off the street. It’s our kids. Our kids killing one another,” Coates said.

Police said the area where the shooting happened is known for violent crimes, and within the last four years over 150 violent crimes have happened in this area.

Those violent crimes include shots fired and ShotSpotter alerts.

Since the shootout police have increased patrols in the area.

“One of those bullets could have gotten to a child... just anybody,” said Rigo Victoria, Douglas Police Public Information Officer.

Right now, police have persons of interest but they are still searching for suspects.

Anyone with information regarding the incident should call the Douglas Police Department at (912) 384-2222.

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