In Valdosta, Georgia, on the evening of November 4, 2024, the life of 20-year-old Amarius Dakwon Shivers, an African American male, was tragically cut short. The Valdosta Police Department responded to a 911 call around 5:00 p.m. reporting a shooting at a residence in the 500 block of Brookdale Circle. Upon arrival, officers discovered Shivers inside the home with a gunshot wound to his head. Despite the immediate first aid rendered by the officers and subsequent medical assistance from the Valdosta Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services, Shivers was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting took a swift turn when the mother of a 15-year-old boy contacted E911, reporting that her son may have been the shooter. Acting on this information, officers went to her residence and took the juvenile into custody. Detectives determined that several teenagers were inside the Brookdale Circle home at the time of the incident. The 15-year-old suspect was reportedly playing with a firearm when it discharged, striking Shivers and causing his fatal injury.
Following his apprehension, the 15-year-old was charged with a series of felonies, including murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for possession of a firearm by a minor. Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan described the event as a 'tragic incident affecting two families, which would not have occurred, if juveniles were not playing with a gun.' The investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of further charges being filed. The mother of the suspect was commended by the police chief for her cooperation with law enforcement.
