‘There is a lack of respect for human life': Persley addresses Albany crime after Wednesday deadly shooting

Shooting marks 10th homicide in Albany in 2020
Updated: Aug. 5, 2020 at 6:46 PM EDT
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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The Albany Police Department (APD) is investigating a Wednesday morning shooting that left one person dead.

Willie Stringer, Jr., 32, of Blakely, was found dead in the 900 block of South Madison Street.

Police arrived at the scene around 12:37 a.m. on Wednesday.

Police said there are no suspects at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

This is the tenth Albany homicide this year, according to APD.

APD chief speaks out:

“There is a lack of respect for human life, here within this community,” Michael Persley, Albany police chief, said. “We have individuals who feel the only way to settle their differences is to get a gun and go after another person.”

Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler said Stringer had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene.

“First, we want to know who these want to be shooters are,” Persley said.

Albany’s top cop said police need to know those who are going to be a “true threat” to residents.

Persley said the community cannot let gun violence be the new normal.

“If there is one house that is the problem in the neighborhood, if it is one or two people that a problem in the (neighborhood), we need to know,” Persley said.

Persley said his department is relying on the community to trust them with their safety and to come forward with information on the violent acts going on in their areas.

“So, instead of putting all our efforts in a 12-block area, we may be able to put our efforts in a one-block area where that one problem house or that one problem person stays and get them out of the community,” said Persley.

Persley has a message for those who come in contact with those involved in street life, drug and gang culture.

“If they had some very violent encounters or potentially could be in some violent encounters, you need to have those conversations of getting them out of it,” said Persley.

If you have information that could help police, call Albany Crime Stoppers at (229) 436-TIPS. You may earn a reward.

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