Javen Dukes, Alongside a Critically Wounded Teenager, a Young Woman Battling Serious Injuries, Two Severely Wounded Young Men, and Two Other Traumatized Victims, Caught in Devastating Overnight Gunfire That Rips Through LaGrange Neighborhood on Seminary Street in One of the City’s Most Grievous Mass Shootings

LAGRANGE, GEORGIA —
In the fragile, early morning hours of Sunday, June 8, 2025, the city of LaGrange, Georgia, was thrust into mourning and disbelief following a mass shooting that left Javen Dukes, a 19-year-old aspiring athlete and beloved community member, fatally wounded, and six others, including a critically injured teenager and five additional victims, wounded in a barrage of gunfire that tore through a residence on Seminary Street. This act of mass violence, occurring just after 1:00 a.m., has been described by local authorities, first responders, and stunned residents as one of the most traumatic events to grip the city in recent memory.

The LaGrange Police Department (LPD) confirmed that multiple 911 calls were placed by residents who reported hearing rapid gunshots erupt in the 100 block of Seminary Street. Officers responded with urgency, racing to the scene, only to arrive at a site that one officer later described as “chaos and heartbreak.”

Seven individuals were found with varying degrees of gunshot-related injuries inside and around the property. Emergency Medical Services arrived swiftly, stabilizing the wounded before transporting them to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center. Tragically, despite medical efforts, Javen Dukes succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival.

Victim Details and Ongoing Recovery

The full roster of victims paints a harrowing picture of the indiscriminate nature of the violence. Alongside Javen Dukes, six other individuals were struck by gunfire:

• A 15-year-old male who remains in critical condition at a pediatric trauma unit, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest.
• A 23-year-old woman, whose identity is being withheld, sustained serious injuries to her legs and hip and has undergone emergency surgery.
• A 22-year-old man who was struck in the shoulder and lower back, currently listed in serious but stable condition.
• A 25-year-old male, wounded in the arm and chest, who is recovering after surgery and remains under observation.
• An unidentified male victim, whose age is estimated in the late teens to early twenties, was wounded in the upper thigh and is recovering after successful surgery.
• A young adult female, age currently unconfirmed, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is being treated for psychological trauma in addition to her physical wounds.

Law enforcement has not publicly released the names of these six survivors out of respect for their privacy and due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, though several families have begun sharing updates on social media as they rally support for recovery efforts.

Timeline of Violence: What We Know So Far

Preliminary investigative findings indicate that the residence on Seminary Street was the site of a large social gathering or party attended by over 30 people, many of them teenagers and young adults. Witnesses describe a festive atmosphere that turned deadly within moments.

Around 1:00 a.m., an argument reportedly erupted near the front of the house. Eyewitnesses, some of whom have come forward anonymously, stated that after a brief verbal altercation, at least one assailant retrieved a firearm and began indiscriminately firing into the crowd. Panic ensued, and partygoers scrambled for cover. Some were struck as they attempted to flee. Others were wounded inside the home.

“It happened so fast. One second, we were all dancing and laughing. The next second, it was just gunfire everywhere,” said a 17-year-old attendee, whose name is being withheld due to age. “I just dropped to the floor and prayed.”

Officers arriving on scene described a scene of devastation—screaming, bloodied victims, people hiding in fear, and a general sense of confusion. Evidence markers littered the street and yard, and law enforcement quickly cordoned off the area as detectives began collecting ballistic evidence and canvassing for surveillance footage.

Investigation and Search for Suspects

At the time of this report, no arrests have been made, but investigators are working with urgency to identify those responsible. LPD spokesperson Lt. Mark Cavender confirmed that detectives are pursuing multiple leads and have collected both physical evidence and statements from key witnesses.

“We will not rest until we bring accountability to those responsible for this violence,” Lt. Cavender stated in a press conference held outside the LaGrange Police Department headquarters. “This is a tragedy that impacts not just the victims, but the entire city.”

Multiple video recordings from cell phones and neighboring security systems are being reviewed to determine who initiated the shooting and whether multiple suspects were involved. Authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward, particularly those who attended the gathering but fled before police arrived.

A Community in Mourning: Remembering Javen Dukes

As LaGrange processes the scale of this tragedy, the community has been vocal in its grief—none more so than the family of Javen Dukes, who are now navigating an unimaginable loss. Javen was described by friends and family as a vibrant, hardworking young man who had graduated from LaGrange High School in 2024 and was planning to enroll at Columbus Technical College in the fall to study sports medicine.

“He had a smile that could light up a room and a heart that was too big for this world,” said Rochelle Dukes, Javen’s mother, during a tearful candlelight vigil held Sunday evening at Calumet Park. “He was never in trouble. He was just trying to live his life, enjoy his summer, and be with his friends.”

Javen played football and ran track in high school. His former coach, Marlin Graves, remembered him as a team leader: “He wasn’t the loudest kid, but when Javen spoke, everyone listened. He respected others, worked hard, and gave back. This is a loss that hits us all.”

City Officials Respond: Calls for Unity and Action

The response from local officials has been swift and direct. Mayor Jim Thornton called the event “a gut-wrenching wake-up call” and pledged to work with state and federal agencies to investigate how firearms ended up in the hands of those who turned a night of celebration into a nightmare.

“This cannot be allowed to define us,” Mayor Thornton said. “Our community is better than this. We owe it to Javen and every victim to do more, to ensure this level of violence never occurs again.”

City Council is convening an emergency session to discuss potential interventions, including expanded curfew enforcement for minors, increased police patrols, and partnerships with youth outreach organizations to provide conflict resolution training and safer community spaces for young people.

Support for Survivors and Their Families

Several local organizations, including the LaGrange Youth Alliance, Troup Cares, and Unity in the South, have stepped forward to offer counseling services, medical transportation, and financial aid to the families impacted by the shooting. A GoFundMe account created for the Dukes family surpassed $40,000 in its first 24 hours, with heartfelt messages pouring in from across the state.

Volunteer therapists are also being deployed to local schools, churches, and community centers to help those emotionally affected by the event, especially teenagers who either witnessed the incident or knew the victims personally.

The Road Ahead: Seeking Justice and Healing

As the sun rose over LaGrange on Sunday morning, the horror of the previous night cast a heavy shadow. Flowers and candles now line the front porch of the Seminary Street home where the shooting occurred. Messages written in chalk on the sidewalk read: “Fly High Javen,” “No More Gunfire,” and “This Could Have Been Any of Us.”

The road ahead for LaGrange will be long, filled with grief, questions, and a desperate need for answers. But the community’s resilience, its calls for justice, and its support for the victims and their families offer a glimmer of hope amid the heartbreak.

For now, the city waits—waits for arrests, waits for justice, waits for healing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the LaGrange Police Department directly at 706-883-2603 or anonymously through Troup County Crime Stoppers at (706) 812-1000..