VALDOSTA – The family and friends of a Valdosta man shot and killed Thursday night at the Ora Lee West housing complex say they hope he is remembered more for his life than his death.

Emory Austin Carter Jr., 20, was shot multiple times outside the housing complex a little before 8 p.m. Investigators with the Valdosta Police Department are still interviewing witnesses, viewing surveillance footage, trying to determine a motive and identify a suspect.

A neighbor who heard the gunfire and found Carter’s body told a WCTV reporter she hopes someone who was involved in the incident comes forward with information that will help investigators identify the shooter.

Carter did have previous run-ins with law enforcement, according to VPD reports, but the neighbor said he was trying to turn his life around, saying he was a “sweet person, loved to smile. Loved to talk to people. Loved to play basketball.”