Following the violent events at the Azul restaurant in Statesboro on the evening of May 5, 2026, the Statesboro Police Department (SPD) has provided a critical update regarding the victims involved.
The Fatality
Authorities have confirmed that one of the two shooting victims has succumbed to their injuries.
The Victim: The individual, whose identity is being withheld pending family notification, was pronounced dead at East Georgia Regional Medical Center.
The Second Victim: The second person shot remains in the hospital. Their current condition has been upgraded to stable.
Pedestrian Update: The third victim—the pedestrian struck by a vehicle during the ensuing panic—is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Incident Details
The chaos erupted around 9:00 p.m. during a large Cinco de Mayo gathering. Witnesses described a sudden dispute that escalated into gunfire, causing hundreds of patrons to flee the restaurant and the surrounding intersection of South Main Street and Fair Road.
The Investigation
Search for Suspects: Detectives spent the night and early morning collecting shell casings and analyzing high-definition surveillance footage from Azul and neighboring businesses. As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests have been made, and police are searching for at least one primary shooter.
Vehicle Involvement: Investigators are also looking for a specific vehicle seen fleeing the area at high speed, which may be connected to the shooting or the pedestrian strike.
Public Safety and Assistance
The SPD is treating this as an active homicide investigation. Because the event was heavily attended, police believe there is significant cellphone footage that could identify the shooter.
How to help: Anyone with information, photos, or video from the scene is urged to contact the Statesboro Police Department at (912) 764-9111 or submit an anonymous tip through their website.
Local officials have noted that while the city was prepared for holiday crowds, the scale of the gathering at this specific location exceeded expectations, and they are reviewing safety protocols for future large-scale events.
