UPDATE – February 20, 2023
Detectives worked through the weekend investigating the 2/19/23 shots fired incident on Chandler Road. Earlier today, detectives were notified by Memorial that the 21 year old male found by officers had died of his gunshot wound. Detectives have been in contact with the family of the deceased and informed them of the findings of the investigation. Out of respect for the family, no further information on the decedent will be released.
As noted in the initial press release, detectives were confident from the beginning of the investigation that there was no ongoing danger to public safety. No credible information suggested that there were suspects remaining at large. However, certain investigative steps had to be completed before a full disclosure of the facts of the case could be made.
The investigation has revealed that the incident consisted of two separate acts. The initial shots fired towards the Blue Room were fired by the now deceased male. The male had been removed from the establishment by staff just prior to the shots being fired. After firing in the direction of the Blue Room, the male walked into a wooded area down Chandler Road where he was later found with a single gunshot wound to the head. Physical and forensic evidence indicates that the wound was self-inflicted. The case will therefore be closed.
As previously reported on 2/19/23
The Statesboro Police Department is investigating after patrol officers heard gunshots near the Blue Room early Sunday morning.
The agency said officers heard gunshots just after 1:00 a.m. Sunday. No one at the Blue Room was injured, but the building and a vehicle were both damaged by gunfire and an individual, who was not partaking in Blue Room activities, was later found injured.
From the press release:
While searching the vicinity for evidence, officers located a male subject in a wooded area down Chandler Road with a gunshot wound. The male was transported to Memorial in Savannah. Records indicate that the male is not a Georgia Southern student.
Detectives responded and interviewed multiple individuals as well as obtaining video surveillance and processing the scene. Staff at the Blue Room were fully cooperative in the investigation. Evidence suggests that the injured male was not shot on the premises of the Blue Room.
At this point in the investigation it does not appear that there is an ongoing threat to public safety.
Further information will be forthcoming at a later date.
Anyone with information on this case should contact Senior Detective Ben Purvis at 912-764-9911 or submit an anonymous tip to tips@statesboroga.gov
