BUFORD — One person is hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the chest after an altercation at Lake Lanier Islands over the weekend, and Hall County authorities are looking for three suspects in the incident.
"We originally received a call about an active shooter (at Lake Lanier Islands)," said Hall County Sheriff's Deputy Nicole Bailes, adding that authorities received a call around 12:45 a.m. Sunday.
Bailes said deputies and SWAT team members along with members of the Flowery Branch Police Department, Department of Natural Resources and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the lake houses and made contact with several people that were present for a birthday party.
Once they secured the scene, deputies found Malik Davis, 23, of Union City with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Bailes said Davis apparently was shot as he tried to break up a fight among three uninvited guests at the lake house and some of the party-goers.
"We had several college-aged students that were renting out a lake house," said Bailes. She said it was for a 21st birthday party for one of Davis' friends.
Bailes said the three men allegedly involved in the shooting fled the scene. She added these three individuals crashed the party, which was described as a "close knit" party.
They are described only as African American. She said investigators are currently working on descriptions and identities of the suspects.
All of the party-goers and the suspects are reported to be from the metro Atlanta area.
"Unfortunately for a college-bound birthday party, we do have the barriers of alcohol being involved, so it was very difficult for us Sunday morning to get witness statements," said Bailes.
Davis, meanwhile, is listed in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Hall County Sheriff’s Office at 770-531-6879 or they can remain anonymous at 770-503-3232.
