VALDOSTA. Ga. – On December 18, 2019, at approximately 11:02 a.m., Valdosta Police Officers, Detectives, and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the area of West Savannah Avenue and South Toombs Street, in reference to an individual who had been shot. Upon their arrival, they found the victim, Tommy Willis, with gunshot wounds to his torso.  First aid was immediately given to Willis until EMS personnel arrived and transported him to South Georgia Medical Center. Through investigation, detectives determined that Willis was riding along the sidewalk in a motorized scooter. An unknown male approached Willis and they were involved in a conversation. During the conversation, the unknown male produced a handgun and shot Willis, prior to fleeing the area in an unknown vehicle. The investigation has shown that this appears to be an isolated incident.

The victim is still receiving medical treatment. He is in stable condition and his injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.

Charles Barnes, whose family has owned Barnes Drugs for over a hundred years, told Valdosta Today on Wednesday that Mr. Willis was a Barnes Drugs customer.

“There were a lot of conflicting stores that were on social media about this incident,” stated VPD Chief Leslie Manahan. “Another local law enforcement agency was involved in a vehicle pursuit near this location, at the same time as our shooting incident. The vehicle pursuit was not related in any way with this shooting case.”

The investigation is still on-going, and anyone having information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Valdosta Police Department Investigation Bureau at 229-293-3145.