VIENNA, Ga. (WALB) — Five days after a shooting at a block party killed two people and injured 35, Vienna City Council members are divided over how to move forward. No arrests have been reported.

Mayor Eddie Daniel and Councilman Albert King did not attend a special council meeting Thursday night. Council members who did attend were locked out of City Hall and held the meeting outside.

Agendas hand-delivered

Councilmember John T. Mathis Jr. said he hand-delivered agendas to Daniel and King ahead of the meeting.

“I hand-delivered Mayor Eddie Daniel his agenda, and I hand-delivered Councilman Albert King his agenda. And the news organ was properly notified. So this meeting is in accordance with the Open Meetings Act,” Mathis said.

Only three council members were present. The council recognized Oct. 4 as a day of mourning and appointed an interim police chief. Vienna has been without its own police chief since February. The county had been providing police coverage while discussions continued about a county contract or the city hiring its own chief.

Council divided

Councilmember Tabitha Carter said the mayor’s absence reflects a deeper rift within the council.

“I feel like ever since February 9th, we have been arguing back and forth, speaking back and forth on the same things. We’ve been kicking the same can down the road. At a time when we should be coming together, we’re still at odds,” Carter said.

Residents react

Resident Mick Rodemeyer said he was disappointed by the mayor’s absence and the circumstances surrounding the meeting.

“And to have to have a meeting on the steps, swatting gnats out of our face, is ludicrous. It’s time for a fresh start in this town. And, you know, it’s unfortunate what happened. I’m deeply saddened for the families, my heart breaks for them. But it’s unfortunate that tragedy usually brings about change. And I pray that this tragedy brings about the change that this town so desperately needs,” Rodemeyer said.

Resident Brandy Passmore said she wants city leaders to explain how permit requirements and ordinance rules are enforced.

“I’m just confused as to why sometimes we have permits and sometimes we don’t. Sometimes it’s okay and sometimes the mayor acts like he knows nothing,” Passmore said.

Passmore said she believes the city should be investigated and criticized for actions taken after the shooting.

“It’s smoke and mirrors. The mayor has allowed this to go on for over a year, and it was just—he allowed it to go on so long it finally ended up in tragedy. The lockdowns and executive orders, the curfews, all those things that he’s doing after the tragedy is just smoke and mirrors,” Passmore said.

Permit questions remain

Residents are seeking answers about whether the block party had a permit, who is responsible for enforcing city rules, and whether ordinances limit gatherings of that size.

About 20 deputies were working that night and were near the party when shots were fired, the sheriff said. He did not know whether the event had a permit. The city handles permits and ordinances.

Curfew status unclear

Council members said the mayor extended the curfew Thursday, but the council took no action on it during the meeting. Vienna’s ordinance states emergency powers cannot extend beyond the next council meeting, raising questions about whether the curfew remains in effect.

The next council meeting is Monday. The agenda includes resolutions recognizing Oct. 4 as a day of mourning and reinstating previous council actions, including the appointment of an interim police chief.

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