NASHVILLE, Ga. – On Monday, December 9, 2019, at approximately 10:42 PM, Nashville Patrol Officers and Detectives responded to 1603 Marion Avenue, Nashville, Berrien County, Georgia due to a 911 reported shooting that had just occurred.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 36-year-old female lying on the floor inside the house with several gunshot wounds. Berrien County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responded and transported the victim to the hospital for further treatment.
NPD Detectives soon learned that there had been a knock on the residence door and when the victim opened the door she stepped outside. When she did, she and witnesses saw two black males, one wearing a ski mask, standing in the yard. One of the males immediately began firing a handgun. After several shots, both the house structure and the victim had been struck multiple times. Several pieces of evidence were collected from the scene to be submitted for crime lab analysis.
Although the victim survived and was later considered in stable condition, she was not able to be interviewed for a few days as she recovered from the initial trauma and subsequent treatment. Upon interview, the victim corroborated earlier witness information however positive identification of the gunman could not be confirmed at that time.
On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at approximately 5:16 PM, Nashville Patrol Officers and Detectives responded to an unoccupied house at 215 E McPherson Ave., Nashville, Berrien County, Georgia. Upon arrival officers were met outside by a 50-year-old female assault victim (Victim 1) who indicated a second, badly injured female was inside and had been for several hours, tied up and bleeding profusely from her head.
As officers entered the house they found a 43-year-old female with numerous injuries and duct tape around her neck that had to be cut off prior to medical treatment being administered. Berrien County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responded and transported the victim to the hospital for further examination and treatment.
Further investigation revealed earlier in the day Victim 1 was at home when she heard strange noises inside her residence. Soon thereafter, 52-year-old Billy Joe Lumpkin grabbed her and forcibly moved her to a nearby unoccupied house at 215 E McPherson Ave. where he held her hostage for several hours. At some point, Victim 2 came looking for Victim 1. When Victim 2 arrived at the unoccupied house, Lumpkin abducted her also and moved her inside and cut her several times on the head and then tied her up with various ropes and duct tape.
Lumpkin then moved Victim 1 to a different nearby unoccupied house on E. Washington Street where she was sexually assaulted. Victim 1 thinking that Victim 2 was dead was able to talk her way away from Lumpkin. Once released she went looking for help as Lumpkin ran away from the scene. As NPD officers continued to search the City, a BOLO (be on the lookout) for Lumpkin was issued to South Georgia police agencies because there were rumors Lumpkin had fled to either Adel or Valdosta.
The next day at about 11:00 AM (Thursday, December 12th), while NPD officers were searching for Lumpkin in the 300 block of North Mathis Ave., Det. Sgt. Varn reported he had located 21-year-old Arquavious Markese (aka Quay) Collier in a vehicle behind 306 North Mathis Ave. Collier was known to be wanted on several outstanding arrest warrants and NPD Sgt. Youngblood, Corporal Hampton and Officer Griffin quickly came to assist with apprehension of Collier.
Upon searching of the vehicle subject to the apprehension, two bags of a quantity of suspected illicit drugs were found; field-test revealed one positive test for cocaine and one positive for methamphetamine. Collier, who is also a person of interest in several other cases being investigated by the Nashville Police Department will be facing charges of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine. The vehicle Collier was in has been seized pending forfeiture proceedings.
Ironically, shortly after Collier’s arrest Lt. Busbin and Sgt. Varn were traveling together on Highway 41 in Lowndes County to check on the victim of the December 9th shooting, when they observed Billy Lumpkin walking along the road. They quickly coordinated with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) for assistance.
As LCSO Deputies converged Lumpkin fled on foot despite commands to stop, but was quickly captured and arrested. Lumpkin was booked in the Lowndes County Jail for Obstruction of an Officer in Lowndes County pending charges in Nashville of 1 count of Rape, 2 counts Aggravated Assault, 3 counts Burglary, 2 counts kidnapping, 2 counts False Imprisonment and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony.
Both cases remain open for further investigation and additional charges may be brought.
If anyone has information regarding either of these cases please contact the Nashville Police Department at (229) 686-6558 or the NPD Tipline at (229) 686-2238.”
