SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Savannah Mayor Van Johnson responded to the Saturday morning shooting that injured four people.
The event occurred in the 100 block of West Congress Street. According to the Savannah Police Department (SPD), the physical confrontation began between two groups. Johnson highlighted Georgia’s gun statutes, noting that the state permits individuals to carry weapons. He also mentioned that combining alcohol with firearms is unsafe.
He called for the suspects to step forward during a press conference on Tuesday morning.
“To those who acted foolishly over the weekend, we want to have a conversation with you,” he remarked. “Prepare with legal representation and come speak to us. Don’t make it necessary for us to come find you at your residence, because we will.”
He told shootings are incidents that the city cannot control, and he is confident his team has done a great job of curbing crime in the area.
This occurrence comes just over a week after remembering the Ellis Square mass shooting that wounded 11 people in May 2024. Since then, Johnson stated that the city has been actively working to enhance safety measures.
“We had that night, our largest single concentration of police, as we did a year ago in that area, both on duty and off duty police officers from Savannah police and other agencies,” he said.
He continued, “We knew that there was a deficiency of lights that we felt were appropriate. I mean, it was lit, but not as well lit. So certainly, there was investment in that. Again, City Market changed their operating where they moved from the club model to restaurant models.”
Businesses in the downtown tourist district said they are fed up with violence they say seems to keep happening.
“We understand their frustration,” Johnson said. “We are frustrated, too.”
He continued, “Do we think we like to have the fact that someone’s experience was ruined or damaged because of an incident like this that could have potentially had innocent people hurt…that had people working in clubs and working at businesses that have patrons inside? No.”
Some business owners said they are considering closing early to keep their employees safe. Johnson revealed that a curfew is on the table, and he acknowledged that it may affect their bottom line.
“We have to be able to keep people safe,” he said. “So, do we shut down at 9:00? Do we shut down at 10:00? Do we say 11:00, no alcohol being served there? I mean again, you don’t want to have to go there.”
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 912-234-2020.
