Mass shooting at Macon bar was gang-related, sheriff’s office says

Gang violence played a role in a fatal mass shooting at a Macon bar in May, according to records from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office released new details about the shooting and how first responders treated victims in front of Midtown Daiquiri Bar & Grill at 4376 Log Cabin Drive, which has had repeated alcohol license issues.

The May 18 shooting, which left three people dead and six injured in the bar’s front parking lot, was described as “gang-related,” according to an incident report obtained by The Telegraph.

An initial 911 call reported “multiple people shot” around midnight Sunday morning, according to the incident report.

It was unclear what time the initial 911 call was made. The report says the first 911 call was made at 12:22 a.m., but a news release from the sheriff’s office said it was made at midnight.

Sgt. Matthew Grube, who wrote the incident report, was the first on-duty deputy to arrive at the scene.

Chaos at scene

Grube found several people and at least three vehicles shot in the front parking lot of the bar and General Dentistry next door. The vehicles included a Nissan Armada, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

“There were people all around the victims causing chaos and preventing deputies from securing the scene,” Grube said in the incident report.

He called in deputies and officers from surrounding counties to control the crowd, records show.

Law enforcement “had to extend the crime scene tape because people were congregating,” Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones said. “...You could feel the stress in the damn air.”

Emergency services respond

The Bibb County Fire Department and emergency medical services were not allowed to treat or interact with the victims until law enforcement secured the scene, according to Deputy Alexis Mitchell-White.

“Fire and EMS were dispatched (notified) and staged closely to the scene,” Mitchell-White told The Telegraph. “The scene must be declared safe before Fire and EMS can enter the scene.”

This is a typical protocol for active crime scenes in Macon, according to the sheriff’s office and Jones, who also said he was not allowed to enter the scene until law enforcement considered it safe. This also helps preserve evidence.

“We do not go into a crime scene until we get authorization from the sheriff’s office,” Jones said. “We stand outside of the (crime scene) tape.”

Jones said the fire department and emergency medical services from Atrium Health Navicent and Community Ambulance responded to the shooting quickly and with care.

“They had more ambulances and fire fighters out there than you can shake a stick at,” Jones told The Telegraph. “Those boys and girls did an outstanding job.”

He also applauded how law enforcement handled the scene.

“The overall investigation was handled with compassion and professionalism by everybody involved,” Jones said.

Person of interest sought

The sheriff’s office was still searching for a person of interest connected to the shooting as of Monday evening.

Three suspects have been arrested, including two who had their first appearance in front of a judge Monday.

The shooting is still being investigated by the sheriff’s office, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.