VALDOSTA — Police officers have been credited with saving a shooting victim’s life.

On Dec. 19, police headed to a home in the 500 block of Samuel Street after an E911 caller reported a shooting, a Valdosta Police Department statement said.

Officers found a 20-year-old man who had been shot in the upper leg; they immediately put a tourniquet on the man until EMTs arrived and took the victim to the hospital, the statement aid.

“Medical staff credited the first officers on the scene for saving the victim’s life by applying the tourniquet,” police said.

Detectives found that the victim, along with another 19-year-old man, were inside a home when a suspect began shooting into the house, hitting the victim, the police statement said.

Arrest warrants were taken out against the suspect — described as a 19-year-old Valdosta man — for two counts of aggravated assault, plus aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, all felonies, the statement said.

On Jan. 3, the suspect’s parents brought him to the police station and turned him over to detectives.

The shooting victim was in stable condition Monday, police said.

“I am extremely proud of the work of everyone involved in this case.  From our first officers on the scene, to the detectives who followed up on every piece of information given to them, to ensure that victim survived and this offender was held accountable. We are thankful that the parents turned their son in to authorities, which allowed for a safe apprehension,” said Police Chief Leslie Manahan. 

Anyone with information about this case should 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.