Valdosta Police Department officers were clearing a large gathering when shots were fired near the police. The ensuing investigation led to four arrests.
From the Valdosta Police Department:
“While clearing a large crowd at a party, an officer hears gunshots hitting a tree beside him. Four people, to include three 17-year-olds are arrested.
On May 31, 2026, at 1:40 a.m., a Valdosta Police Officer was responding to a call for service at a residence in the 800 block of South Oak Street, dispersing a crowd at a loud party. As the crowd was leaving, the officer was standing beside his marked patrol car when he heard gunshots not far from his location.
The officer began running toward the location where he heard the gunshots coming from, when he could hear bullets striking a tree near him, and he heard a vehicle traveling through the area at a high rate of speed. The officer was able to give other officers a description of the pickup truck that was seen leaving the area. The officer checked the area for anyone who had been struck by gunfire but did not locate anyone. Two houses were located that had been struck and were damaged.
Other officers quickly found the Dodge Ram in the parking lot of Piggly Wiggly, in the 1100 block of Madison Highway. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the pickup truck and detained the occupants.
Officers arrested Michael A. Lewis, 20, KaMeon J. Wright, 17, Traveon Turner, 17, and Bryan Burke, 17. Officers also located a handgun that appeared to have been used during the incident.
All four subjects were taken to Lowndes County Jail, and they have been charged with:
• Aggravated assault on a peace officer-felony;
• 2 counts of aggravated assault-discharging a firearm within a vehicle toward a person-felony;
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony-felony;
• 2 counts of Criminal trespass damage to property-misdemeanor;
• Reckless conduct- misdemeanor; and
• Discharging of a firearm near a public street or highway-misdemeanor.
Turner had additional active arrest warrants unrelated to this case.
“This is a great example of the unpredictable nature of law enforcement,” said Chief Leslie Manahan. “A loud music and large party complaint, which would typically not be considered a major emergency, quickly became a critical incident when citizens and our officer found themselves getting shot at. This is the reality of what law enforcement faces every day, and how any call at any time can turn dangerous.”
