A high school basketball tournament in Albany, Georgia, was cut short Friday night after a shooting outside the arena left 17-year-old Jy’Qwavis Holman dead and another student injured. The gunfire broke out during the final game, turning an evening attended by students and families into an emergency that required an immediate evacuation.
The shooting happened on November 13, 2026, outside the Dougherty County School System’s annual basketball Tip-Off Classic. According to the school system, the incident occurred during the fourth quarter of the tournament’s final game.
At approximately 10:28 p.m., Albany Police Department officers responded to the 2400 block of Gillionville Road. They were called to assist Dougherty County School Police and Albany State University Police Department officers following the shooting.
Officers arriving at the scene found two male victims. One had suffered a gunshot wound, while the other had died from his injuries. The student who died was later identified as 17-year-old Jy’Qwavis Holman. Another student was injured, although authorities had not provided further information about his condition.
Inside the arena, the final game was stopped as officials moved quickly to clear the venue. School personnel and law enforcement officers worked together to evacuate the spectators and ensure everyone could leave safely. The event did not continue after the shooting.
The Dougherty County School System confirmed the deaths and injuries involving its students. Superintendent Kenneth Dyer released a statement expressing grief over the loss of one student and concern for the other who was hurt. He also offered condolences to both families and the wider school community.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the case, with help from local law enforcement. Investigators are working to establish the events that led to the gunfire and identify those responsible. Authorities have not publicly announced an arrest or identified a suspect in the available reports.
The Albany Police Department has said it will release a formal statement as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, investigators are asking members of the public who witnessed the shooting or have useful information to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact the GBI’s Sylvester office at 229-777-2080. People who wish to remain anonymous can also call 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), submit information through the GBI’s online tip service or use the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
The shooting has left the Dougherty County school community mourning one student while another recovers from injuries. What began as a school basketball gathering ended with a fatal shooting, an interrupted tournament and an investigation that remains ongoing.