Published: June 26, 2009 11:03 am      

SHOOTING VICTIM CRITICAL IN JASPER

Jasper was the scene of yet another shooting early Thursday morning. Mark Hawkins IV was shot in the chest at Buddy Parker Park, say police. He is in stable condition and his injuries, while no longer life-threatening are said to be serious.

According to a statement released by Jasper Police Chief Jeff McGuire, officers from the Jasper Police Department and deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff 's Office heard what appeared to be a single gunshot coming from the are a of Buddy Parker Park on Martin Luther King Drive at about 12:15 a.m. Authorities arrived within minutes.

Upon their arrival, a male was found lying in the roadway suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest as a numberof people fled the area. The victim was treated on scene and airlifted to a regional trauma facility, where he is listed in critical condition.

The Jasper Police Department, which is conducting the investigation with the assistance of the HCSO, asks that anyone with information about this incident contact law enforcement authorities or, if they wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (386) 792-8477.