UPDATED June 11, 2019: Local news outlets, including the Courier, reported that a late night party last Friday in Hinesville got out of hand, resulting in multiple shots fired and one person injured. The shooting incident occurred at 925 Pineland Ave., according to a news release from the city of Hinesville.
The city sent the release following one local television news report in which a neighbor claimed the Hinesville Police Department could have prevented the incident, as officers had checked out the residence earlier that night. The neighbor also claimed it took law enforcement 20 minutes to respond to the shooting incident.
Hinesville Police Chief Bill Kirkendall spoke on camera with Courier correspondent Lewis Levine to explain the actions officers took over the course of the evening, and reiterated the HPD’s 4-minute response time to the shots fired call. A video of the interview is on the Courier’s website.
According to the city’s release, Hinesville police officers Rashe Solomon and Jose Rivera conducted a routine foot patrol of the area at about 10:30 p.m.
“Officer Solomon indicated that he observed what appeared to be a large gathering. He and Officer Rivera observed illegally parked cars and had the parking violations corrected. The officers did not notice any other suspicious or criminal activity,” the release reads.
The HPD responded to calls of multiple shots fired in the area of Pineland Ave and Trawind Court shortly after 12:30 a.m., according to the release. Multiple officers arrived on scene at 12:35 a.m. and observed several vehicles leaving the area. Police then worked to identify potential victims, witnesses and suspects, according to the release. Shell casings found in the road near 925 Pineland Avenue were photographed and collected.
“At approximately 12:41 a.m., Officer Derek Osborne received a call indicating a subject was seeking treatment at Liberty County Regional Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the right arm,” the release reads. “The wound was treated and the subject was later released from the hospital.”
Ricky Barnett of Hinesville, was identified as a person of interest in the case and arrested for giving officers a false name. A firearm was seized from Barnett and he was processed and later released to Liberty County Jail pending bond. The bond amount was $650, according to news reports.
Police also gathered security footage from the home of Harold Nolan, who lives near the Pineland Avenue home where the party was held. Nolan also spoke with Courier correspondent Levine, and his videotaped interview will be posted this week. Nolan describes the chaos, people stampeding, and partygoers’ cars screeching as they left the area, after shots rang out.
The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Hinesville Police Department at 912-368-8211.