ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — An investigation is underway after a 15-year-old girl was shot Tuesday, June 30, following a vehicle crash in an Albany neighborhood, according to the Albany Police Department (APD).

Officers responded to the 1000 block of West Whitney Avenue in reference to a shooting Tuesday night. When they arrived, they found the teenage girl suffering from a gunshot wound to the buttocks. She was taken to the hospital by EMS for treatment, officials said.

How the shooting unfolded

According to the incident report, witnesses told officers that the shooting happened after a crash involving a gray Lexus and a black Tesla in an alley near West Mercer Avenue. One witness said a blue Dodge Charger arrived at the scene shortly after the collision, and an argument followed before multiple shots were fired.

Investigators believe at least four shooters exchanged gunfire during the incident.

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A witness told police that five male suspects fled the area on foot toward the Dollar General on South Slappey Boulevard after the shooting.

Shell casings recovered

Investigators reportedly recovered 32 spent 9mm shell casings between the alley and the backyard of a nearby home, where the girl was playing basketball. Officers also found multiple bullet holes in a residence and damage to a parked BMW, APD said.

“With the amount of shell casings that we found at the scene, it got violent very quickly. And that multiple guns were involved,” APD Investigator Pritesh Patel said. “We haven’t really went through all the casings and all the stuff yet to identify exactly how many. But that process is ongoing.”

Suspect apprehended; search continues

One suspect — identified as someone who was not involved in the original collision — has been apprehended. Three suspects remain at large, and police say there could be more.

“We did identify the subject that came in that wasn’t involved in the collision, and he has been apprehended. Three suspects are still at large. Could be more. We don’t know yet. They’re still being investigated. And we’re still actively seeking help and assistance from the public to close this case,” Patel said.

Albany police are asking the public for assistance in identifying additional suspects. No arrests have been announced.

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