VALDOSTA – Two female suspects have been arrested by the VPD for the homicide of a Bemiss Road business owner.
Release:
Arrested: Daja Kalice James, African American female, 18 years of age, Valdosta resident
Arrested 2: Sheraka Washington, African American female, 36 years of age, Valdosta resident
Victim: Farooq Baig, Asian male, 73 years of age, Valdosta resident
On December 8, 2023, at approximately 9:00 am., Valdosta Police Officers responded to a business in the 2100 block of Bemiss Road after E911 received a call about a subject being inside the store that was
possibly deceased. When officers and Emergency Medical Services arrived at the business, they found
Farooq Baig, 73 years of age, deceased inside the business near gaming machines which were hidden in the back of the store. Baig had obvious signs of a physical struggle on his body.
Detectives and Crime Scene personnel responded to the scene to investigate. Currently, detectives are treating the case as a homicide. This incident appears to be an isolated event. The victim will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Through investigation, detectives identified Daja Kalice James, 18 years of age, as a responsible party in causing Baig’s death. On December 12, 2023, detectives received information that James was eating at a restaurant in Valdosta. Detectives made contact with her inside and detained her without incident.
On December 15, 2023, detectives obtained arrest warrants on Sheraka Washington, 36 years of age, for her involvement Baig’s death. Detectives arrested Washington on December 11, 2023, on unrelated charges. She is still in custody at Lowndes County Jail.
James and Washingtion was transported to Lowndes County Jail and have both been charged with:
- Murder during the commission of a felony-felony;
- Malice murder-felony;
- Aggravated assault 2 counts-felony; and
- Robbery by force.
“This was great work by our detectives, quickly following up on every piece of information they received.
They worked countless hours to ensure this offender was arrested, and she can now be held accountable for her actions.” Said Chief Leslie Manahan.
If anyone has any information on this case, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, or the crime tip line at 229-293-3091.
