VALDOSTA, Ga. – On February 8, 2020, at approximately 6:54 p.m., Valdosta Police officers responded to a shooting in the 900 block of Nardo Street.

Upon their arrival, they found a large group of individuals around James Bivins, Jr., who had an apparent gunshot wound to his torso.

Emergency Medical Personnel arrived on scene and transported Bivins to South Georgia Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.  Through their investigation, detectives determined that there was a large number of people gathering in the area of Nardo Street and Summerlin Street.  An altercation ensued within the crowd, resulting in gunfire between subjects.

During the gunfire, Bivins was struck by a bullet, according to a report from the Valdosta Police Department..   At this time no charges have been filed against anyone and detectives are working closely with the District Attorney’s Office to determine the course of action for this case.

The investigation is ongoing in this case and no further information being released at this time.

“This is a tragic incident, but when these individuals began shooting guns in this crowd, we are grateful that there was no one else seriously injured,” state VPD Chief Leslie Manahan.

If anyone has any information, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145 or the Crime Tip Line at 229-293-3091.