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Neighbors feel unsafe after shooting on Morris Avenue that left 2 dead

A neighboring family says violence on the street has increased over the years. They have gotten used to hiding under their bed when they hear gunshots at night

MACON, Ga. — Early Thursday morning, two men were killed in a double shooting on Morris Avenue in west Macon.

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office found 61-year-old Milton Jolly shot outside of the home and 41-year-old George Brooks shot inside.

Brooks' daughter, Shamaya Foster, says the men were close friends, and she wouldn't expect to lose them to gun violence.

However, nearby neighbors say this violence is only increasing.

Megan Western talked to them about what they experienced just a few doors down.

Two doors down from the shooting, a family jumped from their sleep to the sound of gunshots.

"It was so close I screamed and I tried to run, and I forgot I just had a double knee replacement," says Brendalyn Bailey.

Bailey says this was almost a typical night.

"We hear gunfire almost every other night. My baby has a pallet on the floor in her bedroom. She knows when she hears gunfire to get on the floor," she says.

Due to their fears, the family stayed home together, and her 10-year-old granddaughter Alonah missed school.

"It was still dark, and I didn't know what her and I were going to walk into when we went outside," she says.

Alonah says she is fed up. 

"I want to move from this house really badly because I think I know what might happen in the future," Alonah says.

She says this future isn't good.

 "Someone might break in," she says. 

However, Bailey has established roots in this home. 

"I've been living here for over 30 years. I raised my children here. I grew up here in this neighborhood," says Bailey.

She says she's put nearly $30,000 in redoing flooring, buying new appliances, adding water heaters, getting a dishwasher, and whatever else she needed to feel comfortable.

"Now that I'm older, I should be able to reap the benefits of not having to pay anymore, but I can't -- my granddaughter is ready to go," she says.

Bailey says Alonah doesn't even have the opportunity to play outside, because they don't want her to be outside.

"She has a membership at Urban Air. She does not play outside. I take her to play," Bailey says.

Now, the family is calling on everyone to think before you act.

"Think twice before picking up a gun because you may harm an innocent person's life," says Alonah

"Take time to think before you decide to pick up a handgun. It's a life choice, and you'll pay for those choices," says Bailey

The shooting on Morris Avenue marked the 60th homicide in the city this year. The Bibb County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the shooting.

If you have any information call Macon Regional CrimeStoppers at 1-877- 68-crime. 

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