UGA football recruit, man hospitalized after double shooting in south Georgia

FITZGERALD, Ga. — A University of Georgia recruit has been hospitalized after he was injured in a double shooting in his hometown.

WALB-TV reports that Fitzgerald police investigated a shooting at Seaboard Side Park around 6:15 p.m. Monday. When officers arrived, they found two people with gunshot wounds.

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Police confirmed that EJ Lightsey was one of the two people injured. Lightsey is a 3-star linebacker for Fitzgerald High School and signed with UGA earlier this month as part of its 2022 class.

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Officials said Lightsey was shot in the shoulder and back and is expected to recover. He was taken to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and is stable.

A 37-year-old man was also injured and taken to a Macon hospital. Hospital officials told WALB Tuesday morning that he is in critical condition.

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Police Chief William Smallwood, Jr. said his officers are getting different stories from witnesses but believe the shooting is gang-related.

Fitzgerald police is handling the investigation but the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed to Channel 2 that it is assisting.

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