Public Reminded Local Crowd Shootings Do Happen: Be Aware of What TO DO!

By Carol A. Gasser Moore

VALDOSTA, Georgia – With the recent report that an unknown male in an older red vehicle was shooting a gun off from his vehicle in Valdosta, Valdosta Police Chief reminds the public that Its important to become invisible immediately to the shooter, and safely evacuate, if possible.

This reminder comes in the wake of a January 28 shooting in Valdosta.  At approximately 8:03 p.m., a Valdosta citizen called E-911 to report that an unknown African American male in an older red vehicle, was shooting a gun off from his vehicle.

Detectives responded to the area of the 700 block of Vallotton Drive, in an attempt to locate the vehicle.  Detectives observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspected vehicle at the intersection of Vallotton Drive and North Troup Street, stopped at the stop sign.

As VPD detectives began to drive toward the vehicle, they observed the driver, later identified as Fentriss White (43) discharge a firearm toward people standing beside the roadway.  No one appeared to have been shot, and everyone began running from the area.

VPD detectives attempted to conduct a traffic stop on White’s vehicle, but White refused to stop.  Detectives pursued White’s vehicle several blocks until he lost control and wrecked into a curb.   White was immediately taken into custody without incident.

Inside White’s vehicle, detectives located a handgun and spent shell casings.  VPD officers and detectives searched the area and did not locate anyone who had been injured.

White was transported to Lowndes County Jail.  He has been charged with:

• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon-felony;
• Reckless conduct-misdemeanor;
• Obstruction of an officer-misdemeanor;
• Discharge of a firearm near a public highway-misdemeanor;
• Discharge of a firearm on the property of another;
• Reckless driving-misdemeanor; and
• Other traffic offenses.

 

“I am proud of the proactive work by our detectives, who responded to the area quickly to look for this offender.  When they saw him fire a gun, then he refused to stop for them while continuing to be a threat, they took the necessary steps to ensure that he was stopped immediately,” said Chief Leslie Manahan. “I want to remind the public that if they believe that they are being shot at, they should make themselves as invisible as possible, call E-911 immediately, and if it is safe to evacuate, they should do so.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Safety has a free book available on-line at www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf/ which gives additional information.