08/03/2025
Please see the attached press release for this incident that occurred at Valdosta Mall last night.
On August 2, 2025, at 6:20 p.m., a Valdosta Police Officer was working extra duty at the Valdosta Mall, located at 1700 Norman Drive. The officer was notified by mall security personnel that there was a possible fight in the parking lot, and that one of the subjects involved appeared to have a firearm. As the officer approached the group of males in the parking lot, they began to run. While running, the officer saw a 15-year-old male throw a gun under a vehicle. She was able to apprehend the 15-year-old and recovered the firearm, which was reported stolen through the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.
As other Valdosta Police Officers arrived at the mall, the initial officer at the scene pointed out other subjects who were involved in the fight who had run from her. Officers located a 16-year-old male juvenile, and Zykeaus Foster, 17, and both were taken into custody in front of the food court. Due to officers having information that other subjects involved in the fight had run into Belks, officers went to Belks and searched for anyone else involved.
While officers were inside the mall, searching for the subjects involved in the fight, calls were received through mall security and E911 about an active shooter inside the mall. Officers began treating the incident as an active shooter call, searching the mall for any active threat. At no time did officers inside the mall hear any gunshots or locate any evidence of any type of shooting or active shooter. The Valdosta Fire Department and South Georgia Medical Center EMS were at the scene to treat anyone who was injured.
After the mall was cleared and deemed safe, Valdosta Mall management made the decision to close the mall for the night. Officers assisted citizens as they left the mall and the parking lot to ensure that everyone left the area safely.
There were no injuries reported, and the case is still under investigation, so more charges could be forthcoming.
Foster was charged with obstruction of an officer (misdemeanor), and he was taken to Lowndes County Jail.
The 16-year-old was charged with obstruction of an officer (misdemeanor), while the 15-year-old juvenile was charged with theft by receiving stolen property-firearm (felony), possession of a firearm by a minor (misdemeanor), and obstruction of an officer (misdemeanor). The Department of Juvenile Justice was notified of the incident and authorized the detention of the 15-year-old at a Regional Youth Detention Center and the release of the 16-year-old to his parents.
“We know this was a scary incident for numerous people who were inside the mall at the time this incident occurred. Due to the nature of the incident, which was called in as an active shooter, law enforcement will respond and treat it as such until we can determine that there is not an active threat to our community. We are aware of numerous reports that people heard gunshots, but there is no evidence of anyone discharging a firearm inside or on the mall property. This was incredible teamwork between our agency, the Remerton Police Department, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol. Our thoughts go out to all of the innocent people who were traumatized by this incident.” Said Chief Leslie Manahan.
If anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, please get in touch with 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.
