Shooter hits water pipe and four people in Valdosta motel during party

By Carol A. Gasser Moore

VALDOSTA, Lowndes County, Georgia – Multiple E911 calls summoned Valdosta Police Department (VPD) officers about 11:30 p.m. on Friday, December 13.  The officers responded to Comfort Inn and Suites to investigate “subjects being shot”.  When officers arrived, along with Valdosta Fire Department (VFD) firefighters, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC), they found a total of four people with gunshot wounds.

VPD reports state that tTwo 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old were found with gunshot wounds to their extremities.  Another 16-year-old had a gunshot wound to his torso.  All four subjects were transported to South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) for further treatment.

As the wounded were treated medicially, detectives and Crime Scene Technicians responded to the motel to conduct an investigation.

Through investigation, VPD detectives determined that Ja’Khary Murray (20) of Valdosta was hosting a large party in one of the motel rooms.  An altercation broke out, which resulted in Murray producing a firearm.  Murray shot the gun several times, resulting in the four subjects being injured.

Multiple witnesses ran from the motel, immediately after the shooting,

Three of the subjects, who were shot, were treated and released from the hospital.  The fourth subject is in stable condition.

Murray was arrested and transported to Lowndes County Jail.  He has been charged with:

• 4 counts of aggravated assault-felony;
• Criminal damage to property in the 2nd degree-felony; and
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony-felony.

Flooding occurred throughout the motel after the shooting.  A water pipe was struck, during the shooting, by one of the bullets.

Detectives are continuing to investigate this incident and are still processing evidence.  This is an isolated incident, but more arrests are forthcoming.

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/.