The Gist: Steve Luke, 36, was fatally shot on Christmas Eve on Boykin Road in Richmond County, an event that has deeply impacted the local community.
The Details: The Richmond County Coroner’s Office identified Luke as the victim of the late-night shooting. Emergency services responded to the incident at 11:41 p.m., and Luke was transported to Wellstar MCG, a local medical facility, where he was pronounced dead early Christmas Day.
An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
What’s Next?: As the investigation into Luke’s death continues, authorities are working diligently to identify and apprehend the perpetrator, seeking justice for Luke and his loved ones.
Gun Crimes in Our Communities: Here are statistics from The Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit meticulously tracking gun incidents.
2023 Statistics:
- Total gun-related incidents: 39,135
- Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 18,874
- Gun-related injuries: 36,357
- Mass shootings: 656
2022 Statistics:
- Total gun-related incidents: 42,064
- Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 20,200
- Gun-related injuries: 38,500
- Mass shootings: 647
While firearm deaths and injuries saw a slight decline compared to previous years, mass shootings continued to rise, with 2023 surpassing 650 incidents. This underscores the continued severity of gun violence in the U.S.
To Be Clear: These aren’t just digits on a page. Each statistic represents a life affected, a community shaken.
Thom Chandler
Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.
