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Friday, Oct. 03, 2008

3 hurt in Unionville drive-by shooting

Macon police continue to investigate a drive-by shooting in the Unionville neighborhood that injured three men Thursday afternoon.

Police said there are no suspects.

More than 15 people from the neighborhood were outside two residences in the 200 block of Pansy Avenue at about 1 p.m. Thursday when someone in a small white car heading west on Bluebell Street fired several times in the direction of the crowd, according to police.

Jobbie Jones, 30, and Andre Taylor, whose age was not available, were shot while standing outside 278 Pansy Ave.

Oscar Freeman, 38, was shot when a bullet entered his vehicle as he was driving toward Montpelier Avenue, he said.

Police said a rifle was used in the shooting. Witnesses reported hearing about 20 rounds of gunfire.

The car, possibly a Honda or an Acura, turned left on Pansy Avenue and fled the scene, according to witnesses, who reported seeing at least two black males.

Police have not identified a motive but said the location likely was targeted.

"They were shooting at a specific location," detective Chuck Whitaker said. "They know who hangs over here."

Jones and Taylor were taken to The Medical Center of Central Georgia. Taylor was treated for a gunshot wound to the arm and released, according to authorities. Freeman, who was shot in the ear, refused to be taken to the hospital. His injury was not life threatening.

Authorities could not confirm Jones' condition. He reportedly was shot multiple times in the back.

Witnesses Thursday said people were outside playing cards when the shooting began. Most afternoons, people congregate in the area, they said.

Freeman said he had just left his grandfather's residence when his rear windshield shattered and a bullet grazed his right ear.

"I kept driving up Pansy to get away. I didn't know what was going on," he said after the shooting, holding his injured ear. "I don't know who they were trying to shoot."

He drove to the corner of Montpelier Avenue and called 911, he said.

A woman who was playing cards outside Freeman's grandfather's house said she and three others dropped to the ground, hiding under a folding table, when the bullets started to fly.

There were reports that a bullet hit a home in the 100 block of Pansy Avenue, where residents were sitting on a screened porch. No other injuries were reported.

Macon police continue to work a special enforcement detail that began Aug. 25 to target crime in trouble areas in the city, including Unionville.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Macon police at (478) 751-7500 or Macon Regional CrimeStoppers at (877) 68-CRIME.

To contact writer Ashley Tusan Joyner, call 744-4347.