VALDOSTA, GA – The suspect in a shooting in Valdosta has been taken into custody.

At approximately 5:00 p.m. Saturday, the Valdosta Police Department responded to 1100 Old Statenville Road, Park Chase Apartments, in reference to the victim, Rufus Howard Ellis III, 36, of Valdosta,  being shot and found in his car. Ellis was transported to  South Georgia Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Within a few minutes of the incident, officers and detectives identified the offender, Brian Levon Charlton-Simmons, 18, of Valdosta, in the shooting. After issuing a regional look-out for the offender, at approximately 7:00 p.m, a Hamilton County Florida Deputy made contact with Brian Levon Charlton-Simmons and took him into custody for VPD.

The incident stems from the fact the victim and the offender had been arguing over the past couple of days which escalated with the shooting at Park Chase Apartments.

A warrant was obtained by Valdosta Police Detectives Saturday night on Charlton-Simmons for malice murder and faxed to Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office where he is currently being held.

“I am very proud of the quickness of Valdosta Police Officers and Detectives who identified the offender quickly and I also appreciate the assistance of Hamilton County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office in this case”, stated Chief Brian Childress.

Source: Valdosta Police Department