DOUGLAS, Ga. - Five people are dead following an apparent family murder-suicide inside a home in Coffee County late Friday night, according to police.
Coffee County mass shooting
What we know:
According to the Douglas Police Department, officers were called around 11:09 p.m. Friday about a report of shots being fired at a home in the 1800 block of Robin Lane in the Touchton Wood neighborhood.
Police said one of the victims called emergency services.
When officers arrived, they found four adults dead inside the house. Emergency crews brought a fifth adult to Coffee Regional Medical Center, where that person later died, according to authorities.
The department added that they believe the incident was an apparent murder-suicide involving immediate family members who lived together. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat at this time.
Douglas Police probe
What we don't know:
The names and ages of those shot and killed have not been released. Police added that out of respect for the families and to allow time for the investigation to unfold, the department is not releasing the identities of those who died at this time.
Authorities have not determined whether a larger gathering was taking place inside the home prior to the gunfire.
Series of mass shootings in Georgia
The backstory:
This is the third weekend in a row that Georgia law enforcement officials have reported a mass shooting or incident of multi-victim violence. While the circumstances of each shooting differ, the state has seen major gun violence across three consecutive weekends.
In Vienna, a 17-year-old was arrested on Friday in connection with a shooting at a homecoming block party the previous weekend that left two men dead and 35 others injured by gunfire or fleeing vehicles. The suspect was charged with underage firearm possession and participating 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.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Douglas Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.