Lakeland man charged in fatal shooting

Apr. 3—VALDOSTA — Police arrested a Lakeland man Tuesday in connection a fatal February shooting in Valdosta.

Zykenzie Jeremiah Calhoun, 22, was charged with murder during the commission of a felony, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, a Valdosta Police Department statement said.

Around 11:20 a.m. Feb. 11, police responded to the 500 block of Moody Drive on reports of a shooting. Officers found Octavius Marshun McDougal, 33, of Valdosta with signs of torso trauma, the statement said.

Officers and EMTs attempted lifesaving measures and took him to South Georgia Medical Center, but he died at the hospital.

Detectives developed a "person of interest" in the case early on and obtained arrest warrants for Calhoun Monday, the police statement said. He was taken into custody Tuesday and detectives said they found a firearm on him which had an illegal automatic switch, police said.

Rumors on social media hampered the investigation, the statement said.

"I am extremely proud of the work of our detectives. They worked countless hours, and their hard work has resulted in Mr. McDougal's family getting answers for this tragic event. We would like to thank the Lakeland Police Department, as well as the Lanier County Sheriff's Office, for their continuous assistance throughout this investigation," Police Chief Leslie Manahan said.

Anyone with information about this incident 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.

Terry Richards is the senior reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times.