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Basketball coach in ICU after breaking up fight, parking lot shooting at Georgia gym

BUTTS COUNTY, Ga. — A Georgia basketball coach remains in the intensive care unit at an Atlanta hospital after deputies say he was shot at a Butts County gym.

Chris Head was shot on March 14 outside the Franklin Street gym.

The Butts County Sheriff’s Office said Head tried to stop a fight between two groups inside the gym and a shooting from taking place in the parking lot when he was shot.

“Coach Head’s actions saved the lives of so many that Sunday afternoon,” Sheriff Gary Long said. “Chris Head is not only my friend, he is an absolute hero. He has dedicated the last 20 years of his life volunteering his time, knowledge and love to the youth of this community through Coaching at the County Recreation Department.”

Head is currently recovering at Atlanta Medical Center. A Facebook fundraising page has been set up for Head’s wife Tomeka and their three sons. The sheriff’s office said this is the only fundraising page and warned of a scam fundraiser for Amazon gift cards going around.

Caring for Chris Head and family Fundraiser for Tomeka Head by Tomeka Head and Amanda Mac

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Channel 2 Action News obtained police body camera video as police and deputies spoke to several witnesses. The witnesses told officials that Head tried to break up a fight while an adult-league basketball game was happening at the gym.

Long said the fight happened between rival members of two gangs known in the area who pulled out guns on each other in the parking lot.

The sheriff’s office said Heard knew four of the people because he coached them in the past. As he tried to separate the groups, one of them shot Heard in the face.

Officers arrested and charged five juveniles and obtained warrants for several adults. Long posted a warning on the Butts County Sheriff’s Facebook page for anyone involved in gang activity in the county.

“I want to talk to three groups directly. The Flovilla group known as YFLG (Young Flovilla Loyalty Gang) and the FLG (Flovilla Loyalty Gang) and the Crosstown group that goes by “2-solid”, you have been identified as a criminal street gang that is creating havoc throughout the City of Jackson and the County. Through this Investigation, my Office Gang Investigators and C.A.G.E Team (Criminal Apprehension and Gang Enforcement) have identified each member of your criminal groups. I have instructed my Deputies to completely dismantle your criminal street gang and we will stop at nothing short of that. We have identified the leaders of these gangs, all the way down to the newest criminal that has joined. Each and every one of your pictures are posted in our office and YOU are public enemy number one. I pledge to each and every one of you, we will not let up until your criminal street gangs are destroyed and dismantled. If you find it necessary to continue participating in criminal street gangs in Butts County, I would recommend that you pack your stuff up and leave this County immediately. I will see that anyone that participates, assist or helps any of these groups will be identified and arrested and charged under the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act. As long as I am Sheriff, Butts County WILL NOT be a safe haven for your criminal ways. If you choose to continue your ways get ready to become a resident in my jail.”

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