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By Beth Alston

AMERICUS — An 18-year-old man remains in jail following a shooting on Tuesday afternoon.

A police officer on routine patrol in the 1300 block of North Lee Street, at approximately 4:45 p.m., was flagged down by a man who said he had been shot in the mouth. The responding officer found Eddie Lusane Jr., 19, bleeding from the mouth and having trouble breathing, according to the police report. Americus Fire & Emergency Services personnel rendered medical aid to the victim until EMS arrived and transported Lusane to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center where he remains as of Friday afternoon.

The suspect has been identified as Raiheem Mathis, age 18, of 118 Redrick St., Americus. He was located by authorities and taken into custody a short time after the incident and charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He is being housed in the Sumter County Jail.