Albany Police Investigate Deadly Double Shooting on West Highland Avenue
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Albany, GA – July 3, 2025 — The city of Albany is reeling from yet another act of senseless violence after a double shooting on Thursday afternoon left one young man dead and another hospitalized with injuries. The incident unfolded around 4:37 p.m. in the 1600 block of West Highland Avenue, a typically quiet residential neighborhood that has seen an unsettling rise in violent activity in recent months.
According to the Albany Police Department (APD), officers responded rapidly to 911 calls reporting gunfire in the area. Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers discovered two male victims lying near the sidewalk with apparent gunshot wounds. One victim, whose identity has not yet been released pending family notification, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The second victim, believed to be in his late teens or early twenties, was rushed to a local hospital where he remains in stable condition.
The APD has launched a full-scale investigation and is currently working to piece together the events that led to the deadly confrontation. Investigators remained on scene late into the evening, canvassing the neighborhood, collecting shell casings, and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses. Preliminary information suggests that the shooting may have stemmed from an ongoing dispute, but authorities have not yet confirmed a motive.
“We are urging anyone with information to come forward,” said Albany Police Chief Michael Persley. “This level of violence is unacceptable, and we need the community’s help to bring those responsible to justice.”
Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots in quick succession, followed by screaming and the sound of a car speeding away. Several residents expressed concern about the increasing frequency of violent incidents in the area and the impact on families trying to live in peace.
“I was just sitting on my porch when I heard what sounded like fireworks,” said Sandra Wells, who lives a few houses down from the shooting scene. “Then I realized it was gunshots. My grandkids were inside, and I just ran to lock the door. It’s terrifying.”
The deceased victim is believed to be in his late teens, and police say he may have known his attacker. No arrests have been made as of Friday morning, but detectives have identified persons of interest and are pursuing leads. Officers also confirmed that additional patrols will be dispatched to the neighborhood in the coming days to ease community fears and deter further violence.
As the investigation continues, community leaders and local advocacy groups are once again calling for stronger youth intervention programs and better conflict resolution resources to address the root causes of escalating gun violence.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (229) 436-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
The Albany Police Department is expected to release more details as the case develops. In the meantime, a neighborhood and a family mourn the tragic loss of a young life—and the continued toll of violence on a community still seeking answers.