By Reed DeSalvo & Cain Madden

The Natchez Democrat

VIDALIA — Two men are dead after an apparent shooting Tuesday afternoon on Ralph’s Road in Vidalia.

Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy David Hedrick confirmed the deaths, but would not release the victims’ names pending notification of family members.

Posts on social media identify the men as Raylon Hawkins and Tyvon Hawkins.

Hedrick said one person was arrested, but declined to release the suspect’s name. The suspect had not been charged as of 8:30 p.m.

CPSO deputies, Vidalia police officers and the Concordia Parish coroner responded to the scene after the shooting.

Hedrick said officers were called to Ralph’s Road at 4:40 p.m., and the first deputy arrived at the scene at 4:42 p.m.

Multiple squad cars blocked the entrance to the one-way road behind the Concordia Parish School Board office on Carter Street.

Trails of blood could be seen in the yard from where one of the victims was reportedly found dead. Neighbors pointed to bullet holes that pierced the wall of a house trailer in the neighborhood.

When officers departed the scene, neighbors filled the street to console each other.

“It’s sad. I knew everyone down here,” Ralph’s Road resident Jason Miles said. “Those guys weren’t troublemakers. It’s got me scared.”

Hedrick called the incident a “a tragic event affecting two families.”

“This case is under investigation,” Hedrick said. “Officers are doing a very thorough investigation. Vidalia Police Department are assisting in this case also.

“Keep these families in your prayers.”