CONYERS, Ga. — The Conyers Police Department is hitting the streets and saturating specific neighborhoods where officers have seen an increase in calls of service regarding shots fired.
Conyers Police Lieutenant Quantavis Garcia said the city has seen a 20% increase in random gunfire this year compared to last year. The agency has now launched "Operation Ceasefire" as a response.
“This is not something that we want in our city,” Lt. Garcia explained.
On June 27, officers met up inside the Forest Villas Subdivision off Irwin Bridge Road. Officers knocked on doors, met with residents and raised awareness about the increase in gunfire.
If residents weren't home, officers left door hangers on their door handles, notifying them of a community alert.
“We thought by going to the Forest Villa Subdivision two weeks ago would suppress what happened this weekend, but unfortunately, it did not,” Lt. Garcia stated.
He said officers responded to Creek Forest Court in the Forest Villas Subdivision just after midnight on Sunday, July 7, in reference to a shooting.
Lt. Garcia said there were several people standing near the intersection of Creek Forest Court and Forest Villa Drive when two people opened fire. A 23-year-old man was shot.
Lt. Garcia said the victim required surgery but had since been released from the hospital.
As for a motive, Lt. Garcia said their investigation has led them to believe this was a targeted shooting, but as of late Tuesday night, the shooters have not been caught.
Conyers Police is now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of those involved in Sunday’s shooting.
Lt. Garcia said they’re also offering the reward for anyone who can help them identify who is randomly firing off gunshots within the city.
While Sunday’s shooting may have been targeted, the next victim may be an innocent victim.
“As we know, what goes up must come back down,” Lt. Garcia said about firing shots. “Even though it’s not directly pointed at anybody, you still can hurt someone.”
Lt. Garcia said officers have also canvassed the Pinedale Circle area, which is next to the Forest Villas subdivision.
Officers were planning to knock on doors in the Green Valley Drive and Lakeview Drive neighborhoods off Irwin Bridge Road on Tuesday night, but the rain forced the department to cancel. Lt. Garcia said they’ll be back out on a different evening to meet with neighbors.
The last neighborhood officers plan to walk as part of "Operation Ceasefire" is in the southern part of the city in the Hunting Creek subdivision.
Lt. Garcia said while they wish they could put officers on every corner of the city, that’s just not possible. They’re asking for the community to step up and help them make the streets of their city safer.
If you have information on Sunday’s shooting inside Forest Villas or any details on the recent random gunfire, you can remain anonymous. You can report tips by calling 770-483-8477, texting a tip to 678-654-8845 or emailing a tip to police at @conyersga.com.