NO AUDIO ON VIDEO - Hundreds of high school students packed into the Shuga Shack Event Hall located at 19 East Vine Street in downtown Statesboro for a prom after party when a fight broke out and gunfire erupted according to Mike Broadhead, Statesboro Police Chief.
Around 12:18 am on Saturday, April 16, 2023 Statesboro Police Officers requested assistance with the large party after gunfire erupted. Bulloch County Sheriff's deputies responded to assist SPD. The first SPD officer to arrive was in the area and heard the gunfire and was on the scene in seconds.
Bulloch County EMS responded and transported one minor male to EGRMC. A second minor male was taken by private vehicle to EGRMC.
Chief Broadhead confirmed one minor male was attending the event at the Shuga Shack when he was shot has been released from the hospital. A second minor victim remains hospitalized with what it believed to be non-life threatening head injuries.
Screams for help
The video above shows the panicked moments after the gunfire inside the packed venue as students tried to navigate the emergency exit. The exit is not even with the ground and requires a ramp to exit. The ramp is sideways making an emergency exit challenging. You can see in the video the high school students being trampled in these terrifying few moments as a security guard helped pulled the students from the doorway. There is no audio on the security camera video.
Videos being shared on social media shows the terror inside the overcrowded event hall. You can hear the gunfire and screams for help from the students.
Rumors of shooting
Advertising for the After Party at the Shuga Shack had been circulating on social media prior to the event. Chief Broadhead said their had been rumors about a fight and possibly a shooting that circulated around the high school on Friday. Because of this his officers increased patrol in the downtown area.
Monday threats to SHS taken seriously
Chief Broadhead confirmed that they are aware of threats of potential violence at SHS for Monday and they are taking these threats seriously. However, they have not been able to confirm the identity of anyone making a threat.
Bulloch Schools released a statement Sunday evening that confirmed they are increasing security at SHS this week due to the Shuga Shack shooting. CLICK HERE to read more about their increased measures.
If you saw something, say something
If you have any information on the Shuga Shack shooting or the threats made against SHS Chief Broadhead encourages you to contact detectives at 912-764-9911 or submit an anonymous tip to [email protected].
