emergency surgery, which was performed at Crisp Regional. Several patients were admitted to the hospital for continued care. Hospital officials say many others were treated for their injuries and released. Additional people may have received care at other hospitals.

STATEMENT FROM HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP:

 The tragic events of this morning simply should not happen in our otherwise peaceful South Georgia communities,  said Steven Gautney, CEO of Crisp Regional.  On behalf of our entire organization and medical staff, we extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families and everyone affected by this tragedy.

 I am profoundly grateful for our first responders, physicians, nurses, clinical teams and support staff who responded immediately and worked tirelessly to care for those who came through our doors. Their professionalism, compassion and dedication in an extraordinarily difficult situation exemplify the mission of Crisp Regional.

 I especially want to thank our law enforcement partners for their teamwork alongside hospital personnel throughout this response. Their coordination with our team helped ensure that victims received the care they needed while maintaining a safe environment for our patients, families and staff during an emotionally charged and rapidly evolving situation.

 Our commitment does not end with the emergency response. Crisp Regional will continue to stand with our patients, their families and our neighboring communities as they begin the difficult process of healing and recovery. 

Community response

An impromptu community prayer vigil was organized Sunday morning in response to the shooting. Around 100 people gathered at the courthouse in Vienna to pray for the victims and their families.

A candidate for state representative for District 150 released this statement about the incident Sunday afternoon:

 Our hearts are heavy for the victims, families, and entire community of Dooly County affected by this senseless tragedy. In our rural communities, we take care of one another, and this act of violence cuts us all deeply. ​My deepest prayers are with everyone mourning. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to our local law enforcement and first responders who acted swiftly and courageously to protect us. As your State Representative, I will always stand firmly behind the men and women in uniform, ensuring they have the full support and resources needed to keep our community safe and uphold the rule of law. 

The Dooly County Schools System also released a statement about the incident.

The Dooly County School System has released a statement about the mass shooting overnight on Oct. 4, 2026. (Dooly County School System)

Frustrations expressed

Some people are expressing frustrations with leadership from the mayor and police response in the wake of the shooting.

Reward offered for info

Meanwhile, the Youth Peace   Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation for Kids, is offering a reward of up $5,000 for information the helps law enforcement make an arrest(s) and/or get a conviction. The foundation came into being after the May 24, 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas.

Anyone with information can call the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 478-987-4545.

 We are expanding our response because accountability matters. Two people lost their lives, 35 others were injured, and an entire community is now dealing with the aftermath.  If you saw something, heard something or have information that could help investigators, now is the time to come forward. Someone may know something that could help bring answers to these families.  We are asking people to do the right thing. You can provide information directly to law enforcement, and anonymous reporting options are available. Our Foundation is willing to put up to $5,000 behind information that helps move this investigation toward justice. 

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