VALDOSTA — Authorities arrested a Valdosta man in connection with the Sunday mass shooting at the Hudson Dockett housing project.
Bernard Sanders, 24, was arrested near Lake Park during a traffic stop Wednesday night, said Valdosta Police Chief Frank Simons. Sanders is charged with felony murder and is being held at Lowndes County Jail with no bond, Simons added.
Additional charges are pending against Sanders, and police expect one, possibly two, more arrests in connection with the shooting.
“We are continuing the investigation and have leads identifying at least one other person,” Simons said. “We hope to issue another arrest warrant in the near future.”
Simons said that the shooting was not believed to be gang related, but the Valdosta Police Department did receive assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation South Georgia Gang Task Force, along with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Thomas County Sheriff’s Office.
“I must definitely commend the hard work of our investigators,” Simons added. “In my 22-year career as a police chief, this is the first time I’ve had a case that involved this many victims, and it was confusing. The investigators have done a wonderful job on this case and emphasized that speed was not of the essence — accuracy was.”
Valdosta Mayor John Fretti congratulated the police department on the progress of the case and discussed ways the City of Valdosta plans to help combat crime in the community.
“This case has affected the region with ripples of concern and fear,” Fretti said. “The Valdosta City Council strongly supports the police force and is discussing a community task force. It is up to us to address this so we may take back our community.”
The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Eleven people were reportedly shot during the incident, including 19-year-old Sidney Bivens, who succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to the hospital.
One person remains hospitalized in stable condition, Simons said Thursday.
In response to several rumors surrounding the shooting, Valdosta Police Capt. Bobbi McGraw said that Bivens was not identified as a shooter in this incident.
McGraw added that the suspect, Sanders, was injured on the night of the shooting and treated at the hospital. She said that Sanders does have a criminal history, but could not release any further information.
During Sanders’ arraignment Thursday, he indicated that he was out on probation for a family violence charge. It also appeared that the suspect had been wounded in his right leg.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Valdosta Police Chief Frank Simons announces the arrest of one of the suspects in the mass shooting Sunday. With Simons is Valdosta Mayor John Fretti who announced plans to end the violence in the community.
-
Using crutches, Bernard Sanders walks toward the front of the courtroom for his arraignment hearing in front of Chief Magistrate Court Judge Joni Parker Thursday.
-
A participant in the Hudson Dockett prayer vigil places her candle at the spot where one of the victims of Sunday’s violence was shot. Jonathan Chick
-
A group gathers at the site of Sunday’s shooting in Hudson Dockett Thursday night. Jonathan Chick
-
Bernard Sanders
Discussion
Shooting arrest
Additional arrests expected in mass shooting at Hudson Dockett
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
-
Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide
Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.
-
Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year
Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.” -
VPD offers online citation payment
The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.
- More Local News Headlines
-
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
