Nationwide — Chyell Paulk, a 15-year-old African American student at Irwin County High School in Ocilla, Georgia, tragically lost her life in a shooting incident at a prom party. Alongside her, four others were injured during the event.Chyell Paulk, who was known for her academic achievements and cheerleading passion, was shot in the right side. She succumbed to her injuries upon arrival at the hospital.
Among the injured, one student was shot in the face but has since been released and is recovering at home. Another 14-year-old student was transferred to a Macon hospital for surgery on his arm, where he was also shot. A 19-year-old victim has been discharged from the hospital.
Police have arrested 17-year-old Channen Brown on murder charges related to the incident. However, they are actively seeking another suspect believed to have been involved in the shooting.
“The truth of the matter is, we have an overwhelming number of violence between Irwin and Ben Hill County. We’ve got to stop the violence and we’ve got to stop it now,” said Ocilla Mayor Melvin Harper II, according to WALB.
Chyell’s mother spoke fondly of her daughter’s recent aspirations to pursue a career in radiology, highlighting her vibrant spirit and dedication to her studies and extracurricular activities.
In response to this tragedy, both Ben Hill County Schools and Irwin County Schools are offering additional counseling and support for students affected by the incident.