UPDATE 11:00AM:
The Thomasville Police Department confirms the person shoot multiple times near Fern an Fletcher Streets died from their injuries.
SEE FULL MEDIA RELEASE:
On December 17, 2024 at about 11:53am, the Thomasville Police Department responded to 113 Fern Street in reference to shots fired in the area. The Thomasville PD's FLOCK alerts and 911 calls indicated that the incident was at 113 Fern St. Upon arrival, Edward (Eddie) Haygood was found shot multiple times. Officers began rendering aid until Thomas County EMS arrived and took over medical care. The victim was then transported to Archbold Memorial Hospital where he continued to receive medical care. Through investigation, a fifteen (15) year old male juvenile suspect was identified as being involved in the shooting. Later in the evening, Mr. Haygood succumbed to his injuries. At about 10:50pm, the juvenile was arrested in the 300 block of Fern Street without any further incident. The juvenile was detained in a Regional Youth Detention Center and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a felony. The investigation is ongoing and leads are still being followed. If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, please contact the Thomasville Police Department at (229) 227-3302.
The Thomasville Police Department would like to thank the GBI, the Thomas County Sheriff's Office, GSP, and the Boston PD for their assistance in this investigation.
UPDATE 9:30AM:
The Thomasville Police Department says a suspect is in custody following a shooting that injured one and sent a local school into lockdown.
TPD announced the update on its Facebook page.
There is no update on the victim's condition.
More details to come
- The shooting occurred in broad daylight near Fern and Fletcher Streets
- Witnesses, including Jamarius Wilkerson and Debra Brown, described hearing multiple gunshots and seeing the victim struggle before the suspect fled in a car.
- The victim is male and is currently recovering at Archbold Medical Center.
BROADCAST SCRIPT
The yellow tape has been removed, but neighbors here on Fern and Fletcher Streets are still shaken after the shooting earlier today.
I'm at the scene where police continue to investigate, but there's still no word on where the suspect or suspects went.
Neighbors I spoke to are still in disbelief.
"I was in there playing a game when I heard them, and then I ran out, and I see him in there just laying in there, dying… he was trying to crawl his way to the back, and I picked him up and drilled him back there," said Wilkerson.
Jamarius Wilkerson, who lives right near where the shooting happened, tells me he grew up with the victim and was shocked to find him struggling right outside his home.
"He was standing up first, then he fell. That's when I noticed something, and I ran up to him, and I've seen his shirt—he had blood on his shirt and on his pants. So I picked him up and tried to carry him back up, but his body got hurt, so I laid him down. Then I checked for his pulse and didn't feel anything, so I started rubbing on his chest, and then he started moving," said Wilkerson.
Neighbors also tell me the victim was hanging out near a backyard when the shooting happened. After several shots were fired, the suspect ran off and left in a car.
Neighbors like Debra Brown were sitting on the porch with her daughter when she heard the gunshots.
"When we heard a gun shot, we all looked and w looked a cross the street and the guy would run up on the person that was on the ground with a gun and he shot him twice," said Brown.
Her daughter Patricia tells me they heard seven or eight shots fired.
The victim is now in the hospital. Police have not yet provided an update on his condition.
Authorities are urging people to remain cautious in this area while the investigation continues.
UPDATE 1:55PM:
A lockdown has been lifted at Harper Elementary following a shooting that injured one person.
According to the Thomasville Police Department, they received a call at approximately 11:45 am of a shooting at the 100 Block of Fern Street.
At least one person was shot multiple times. The victim is male and is currently recovering at Archbold Medical Center.
Debra Brown, who lives right across the street from where the shots were fired, say she was sitting on the porch with her daughter when she heard the gunshots.
TPD is still actively asking the community for help in providing any information.
You can call the Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (229) 227-3302.
ORIGINAL STORY:
- Police are investigating a shooting in the area of Fletcher and Fern.
- At least one person is hurt, their condition is unknown.
- People who live in surrounding areas including College Terrace Homes and adjacent streets are asked to stay inside their homes.
- Harper Elementary has been placed on lockdown as a precaution due to the active scene.
FULL TPD SOCIAL MEDIA POST:
Area of Fletcher and Fern. Stay inside and report suspicious activity!
We are currently investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of Fern/Fletcher Street at around noon today. There are several suspects who ran from the scene and are believed to still be in the general area. We are working to get a good description of the suspects. You may receive a reverse-911 call and/or emergency message related to this incident.
If you live in the surrounding area, College Terrace Homes, or on adjacent streets please stay inside your homes and do not allow anyone to enter your home. Report any suspicious circumstances to dispatch so we can catch the persons responsible. If you have any information about this incident please contact us.
We do not have an update on the victim's condition at this time. Please stay safe and if you see anything unusual in this area, report to (229)226-2101.
