ing in criminal street gang activity, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation expects additional arrests.

The violence followed an incident earlier in Macon, where 12 teenagers were injured when gunfire broke out during an 18th birthday party at Carolyn Crayton Park. Five suspects, including a 15-year-old charged as an adult, have been charged in that case.

What they're saying:

The Coffee County Sheriff's Office released the following statement Saturday morning:

 Our community experienced a terrible tragedy last night.

 Douglas Police Department is investigating a shooting that has resulted in the loss of five lives.

 Our hearts are with the families and friends who lost somebody they love last night.

 Please pray for them.

 And please pray for all of our first responders who were there last night. This was a hard scene for everybody involved. 

The Douglas Police Department released a statement regarding the incident:

Before concluding, I want to extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones affected by this devastating tragedy.

We recognize the profound impact this loss has had on those closest to the victims and on our community. We ask everyone to respect the privacy of the families and allow them the time and space they need to grieve.

Local perspective:

Douglas is located about 70 miles southeast of Vienna or about 180 miles southeast of Atlanta.

What's next:

The victims' bodies will be taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for autopsies.

What you can do:

Douglas police are asking anyone who may have information related to this incident to contact Investigator B. O'Steen with the Douglas Police Department at (912) 384-2222 or by email at bosteen@cityofdouglasga.gov.

Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may submit information through the Douglas Police Department's Tip Line at (912) 260-3600.