Community in Shock After Church Parking Lot Shooting in Jonesboro Leaves Four Injured
JONESBORO, Ga. — A peaceful Monday evening turned chaotic in Jonesboro after a shooting outside a church left four individuals wounded and a community shaken. Authorities are investigating a disturbing incident that unfolded just before 10:30 p.m. on June 24, 2025, in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro on Church Street.
A Night Meant for Community Turns Violent
According to Jonesboro Police, officers were dispatched to the church parking lot following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they discovered a 31-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to his thigh. He was promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Shortly after, three additional victims—all adult males—arrived at Southern Regional Medical Center via private vehicles. One man had been shot in the buttocks, while the other two sustained gunshot wounds to their calves. Fortunately, all four victims are expected to survive.
What Sparked the Violence?
Preliminary investigations revealed that the violence erupted after a basketball game at the church. What began as a verbal altercation among participants quickly spiraled into gunfire in the church’s parking lot—a place typically reserved for worship, fellowship, and community support.
Witnesses recounted the tense moments as the sound of gunfire shattered the calm night. Chaos ensued as bystanders rushed to help the injured while others sought cover. Police say the gunfire was not random but the result of a personal dispute that tragically escalated.
Suspect Identified and in Custody
While officers were still processing the scene and gathering evidence, 22-year-old Nigel Banks voluntarily turned himself in at a different police precinct. Banks has since been arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated assault and discharging a firearm on another’s property.
He is currently being held at the Clayton County Jail as the investigation continues.
A Community Left Reeling
The shooting has sparked concern and sorrow throughout the Jonesboro community. First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, a longtime pillar of faith and unity in the area, is now the backdrop of an unsettling crime. Church officials have yet to comment publicly, but community members are grappling with the reality that a place of peace became the scene of violence.
Parents and local leaders have raised questions about security measures and conflict resolution among youth and young adults, particularly during recreational gatherings such as basketball games hosted at churches and community centers.
Moving Forward
Police continue to interview witnesses and review surveillance footage to determine all individuals involved and assess whether additional charges or arrests are warranted. They have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist in the investigation.
Meanwhile, counselors and faith leaders are working with those affected to provide support and healing.
“Our church is a place for hope, not harm,” one resident said during a small prayer vigil held Tuesday night outside the church. “We need to be better, for our youth and for our community.”
The Jonesboro community is now faced with the difficult task of healing and rebuilding trust, while praying for the recovery of those injured and for peace to prevail moving forward.
