Authorities in Soperton have arrested two suspects in connection with a deadly shooting that left a 15-year-old Treutlen County High School student dead and another teen critically injured over the weekend.

According to a press release from the Soperton Police Department, 20-year-old Emily Ford and 19-year-old Allen Knight have been charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, and party to a crime in relation to the fatal incident.

Police said the shooting occurred in the 100 block of New Street in Soperton, where officers responded to reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found two teenage victims suffering from gunshot wounds. The 15-year-old died from their injuries at the scene, while a 17-year-old student was airlifted to a trauma center in critical condition after being shot multiple times.

In a statement, City of Soperton Police Chief Brian Scott called the incident a tragic and senseless act of violence, noting that multiple agencies worked closely together to identify and apprehend the suspects.

“Investigations are dynamic with a lot of moving parts,” Chief Scott said. “The investigating agencies, as well as the partner law enforcement agencies who assisted, all had a unified goal — to find the facts and seek justice for the victims.”

The Georgia State Patrol, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, Dublin Police Department, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dublin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office all assisted in the investigation, which remains active and ongoing.

Authorities have not yet released details about what may have led to the shooting, but Chief Scott emphasized that investigators are continuing to follow leads.

“This is a very tragic incident resulting from a senseless act of violence,” Scott added.

Following the shooting, the Treutlen County School District increased security measures on campus, including the use of metal detectors and additional presence from Georgia State Patrol troopers and sheriff’s deputies, to ensure student safety.

The Soperton Police Department is urging anyone with information related to the case to contact the Treutlen County 911 Center at (912) 529-3222 or the GBI Eastman Office at (478) 374-6988.

The names of the juvenile victims have not been publicly released.