VALDOSTA – The Valdosta Police Department arrests a South Carolina man for aggravated assault on a police officer.

Release:

Arrested: William Stanfield, Caucasian male, 61 years of age, Belton, SC resident

On May 11, 2024, at approximately 11:50 pm., Valdosta Police Officers responded to the Wingate Hotel, in the 1800 block of Clubhouse Drive, after a citizen called E911 to report a dispute.  When officers arrived at the hotel, the witnesses stated that a person known to them, later identified as William Stanfield, 61 years of age, was intoxicated and belligerent.  The witnesses and Standfield had participated in a competition gun show earlier in the day, so it was known that he may be carrying a firearm.  As officers walked around the hotel, one of the witnesses ran back to them and stated that Stanfield had just shot a gun in their direction.

Officers began searching the parking lot for Stanfield, finding him standing hidden in a wood line behind a truck.
They noticed he had a firearm pointed in the direction of one officer. 

Officers grabbed Stanfield and took him to the ground while trying to remove the firearm out of his hand. Stanfield continued to resist arrest by attempting to pull his hands away from officers and not following their verbal commands.

Officers were able to place Stanfield in handcuffs, and they found another firearm in his pants pocket.  The victim, who stated that Stanfield had shot the gun in his direction, did not wish to file charges against him.

Stanfield was taken to Lowndes County Jail and he has been charged with:

• Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer-felony;
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime; and
• 2 counts of misdemeanor obstruction of an officer.

“I am proud of the effort of these officers who remained calm in an extremely tense situation.  Their calmness kept this incident from escalating, and I am very thankful that our officers were not injured.” Said Chief Leslie Manahan.

If anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.