Shootings continue in Claxton after crime prevention operation

EVANS COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Following a three day crime prevention operation named “You Can’t Have Claxton,” by the Evans County Sheriff’s Office— three shootings happened early Sunday morning.

SEE: Evans Co. Sheriff’s Office addresses recent shooting incidents through crime operation

WTOC headed to Claxton on Sunday to speak directly with locals.

People told us shootings continue to happen in the same area, even with extra law enforcement around. 

One person we spoke to told us his cousin was shot as an innocent bystander.

After a shooting around 4 a.m. near Church Street and Jones Street, one Claxton family is reeling.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations said a fight happened at a gathering on North College Street that led to a shooting on Church Street.

One man was hurt in that shooting, the victim’s mother told us on the phone that her son is in the ICU following surgery.

According to the GBI, two additional shootings incidents on Jones Street and Savoy Road followed and are believed to be related.

Other family members said a big issue with crime is re-offending youth.

“They get locked up like I said before you get home and drink a good cold soda and eat a bag of potato chips they back walking down the streets again doing the same thing over and over,” said victim’s cousin Duane Nunnally.

Sunday morning, Nunnally said he heard 14 gunshots and saw a heavy police presence off of Church Street.

“Juveniles, they do not fear the judicial system,” said Nunnally.

“I think they need to come through our streets, taking the guns out of young men’s hands,” said resident, Dorthy.

Dorthy told us police need to make a connection with the young generation to help make the community a safer place.

Nunnally said that the solution is to make punishments stricter.

“When the laws passed about no mental health check, no background check. So if you can’t have a gun, and then you pay somebody to go get you one of them juveniles, now you got clean guns on the streets, stuff that the military use,” said Nunnally.

That shooting is still under investigation as of Sunday night.

Claxton police, along with the Evans County Sheriff’s Office aren’t sharing any details about the recent crime in the area.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 2 injured in Evans County shooting, GBI requested

They have referred us to the GBI, who is over the investigation.