VALDOSTA – On Monday at approximately 3:17 am, Valdosta Police Department officers were in the area of the 1100 block of Old Statenville Rd when they heard a single gunshot come from the direction of an apartment complex.

The officers then observed a dark colored vehicle pull out from the apartment complex and immediately began leaving the area at a high rate of speed. Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over but the vehicle refused to stop.

Fearing for the safety of citizens in the area, a vehicle pursuit was initiated on the offender vehicle. While in pursuit, one officer clearly saw the passenger of the vehicle throw a firearm out of the window of the vehicle. The vehicle pursuit ended shortly after the driver lost control in the 800 block of Bethune street, striking a curb and puncturing a tire.

Both the juvenile driver and passenger, Demarques Bartee, 20, were taken into custody without further incident. A search incident to arrest yielded a felony amount of marijuana within the vehicle. The firearm that was observed being thrown from the vehicle was recovered and was discovered to have been stolen from a 2014 Burglary in Lowndes County.

Bartee has been charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (FELONY), Tampering with Evidence (FELONY), Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (FELONY), Possession of Marijuana (FELONY), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (FELONY) and Discharge of a Firearm within 50 Yards of a Public Highway (Misdemeanor).

The juvenile offender has been charged in the Juvenile Justice system with, Driving without a Valid License, Reckless Driving, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Failure to Maintain Lane.

“In this case the offenders discharged a firearm in a highly populated area which threatened the safety of the multiple residents in the area. The officers involved in this case did an excellent job taking immediate action before someone was hurt” said VPD Lieutenant Adam Bembry.

Release from the Valdosta Police Department