FITZGERALD, Georgia – A tragic incident unfolded in south Georgia after a high school prom when a 15-year-old cheerleader lost her life in a shooting. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that a 17-year-old male has been charged with the murder that occurred in Fitzgerald, a city located about 80 miles south of Macon. The young victim, Chyell Park, was pronounced dead at a local hospital where she was taken after the incident.
Chyell Park, a freshman at Irwin County High School, was described by the principal, Jared Luke, as having a loving spirit and a constant smile on her face. The grieving mother, Chelsie King, expressed disbelief at the loss of her daughter, saying, “I’m just numb. I can’t even wrap my head around it. She was 15 with a full life ahead of her.”
The alleged perpetrator, Channen Brown, 17, faces charges of felony murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and possessing a gun while committing a felony. Under Georgia law, 17-year-olds are charged as adults in criminal cases. As of Monday, there was no record of Brown appearing before a judge or having legal representation.
Following the tragic incident, police indicated that additional arrests could be made regarding the case. A separate shooting occurred in Fitzgerald on Monday, prompting a lockdown at Ben Hill County schools. Reports suggested that two individuals were injured, leading to counseling being offered to students at schools in Ben Hill County and neighboring Irwin County.
The community mourns the loss of Chyell, with Principal Luke stating, “The loss of Chyell is extremely saddening and tragic. She had a loving spirit and always had a smile on her face.” Two of the other shooting victims, a 19-year-old female and a 15-year-old male, have been released from the hospital. However, a 14-year-old student who sustained a gunshot wound to the arm underwent surgery on Monday.