APD Press Release:

On October 8th, 2024, at approximately 9:30 PM, officers of the Americus Police Department were dispatched to the area of Crawford Street and Douglas Drive in reference to a report of shots fired. An officer patrolling the area witnessed three juveniles fire shots and then get into a vehicle. He stopped the vehicle, and the suspects fled on foot. They were later identified and detained. Officers were later dispatched to a residence on Oglethorpe Ave. to a report of a person who had been shot. The victim, 18-year-old James Wilson, was transported by EMS to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and later transferred to a facility in Macon. On October 19 th , 2024, investigators were notified that he had
succumbed to his wounds.

Two juveniles, age 16, and one juvenile, age 15, have been charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Minor. Martel Marquis Smith aged 42 was charged with fleeing and/or attempting to elude and Offense of a drive-by shooting. These charges will be upgraded to homicide.

Anyone who has additional information related to this investigation is asked to call the Americus Police Department at 229-924-3677 or after business hours at 229-937-9011.