The Swainsboro Police Department and Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the death of one man and the wounding of three others because of gunshots. Officers responded to the call of shots fired at approximately 6:00 Monday night. Upon arrival, they found 19-year-old Eric Foreman of Swainsboro had been shot in the back. He was transported by EMS and pronounced deceased at Emanuel Medical Center just before 7:00 Monday night.

Suffering from gunshots wounds were Derrick Smiley, Justin Canady, and Jamal Jenkins. Smiley, Jenkins, and Canady were all transported to Augusta for treatment.

Investigators report that there was some sort of altercation before the four men were shot, and law enforcement is trying to determine if the shootings were a result of gang-related violence and/or drug-related. The victims’ range in age from 19 to 38 years old.