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VALDOSTA, Ga. () — Police are seeking help locating a suspect in a Valdosta shooting that injured two teens.
Valdosta Police officers were conducting a traffic stop around 4 a.m. Sunday when they heard gunshots on East Gordon Street.
When officers arrived, they discovered a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the hip and immediately provided assistance. The teen was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital.
The Valdosta Police spokesperson reported that a 15-year-old girl also reached the hospital with a gunshot wound to her torso while the first responders were still at the scene of the incident.
Both shooting victims were treated and later released from the hospital.
Two other teens were superficially injured running away after shots were fired, police said.
Investigators learned that the shooting occurred at a celebration following a graduation and prom. A dispute erupted among a group of juveniles and adults regarding the supposed theft of a phone charging cable.
This is when 21-year-old JaMaurion Fountain allegedly fired a rifle into the crowd.
Officials said that arrest warrants have been obtained for Fountain on the following charges:
- Five counts of aggravated assault
- Two counts of cruelty to children in the 1st degree
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
- Damage to property
- Terroristic threats
A spokesperson for the department said Fountain’s location is unknown, and he should be considered armed and dangerous. They also warned that anyone who “is determined to hinder the apprehension of Fountain” will face criminal charges.
“At four in the morning, there is absolutely no reason that any juveniles should be allowed to gather at a location with adults,” Chief Leslie Manahan said. “During a time of the year when families are celebrating graduations and proms, we are extremely lucky that we do not have families that are planning funerals. We are still looking into who was responsible and allowed this gathering, and we will hold them accountable as well.”
If anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, 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.