Valdosta Police Fatally Shoot Armed Male at Elementary School

On September 25, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m., a Valdosta Police officer responding to gunshots encountered an armed male entering the campus of S.L. Mason Elementary School in the 1000 block of Lamar Street. The school was immediately placed on lockdown.

As the male, later identified as 25-year-old Tychicus Armondo Deshazer of Valdosta, approached the front of the school, officers engaged him. Valdosta Police discharged their firearms, and Deshazer was pronounced dead at the scene. No students or faculty were harmed. During the incident, Deshazer reportedly fired at multiple vehicles in the school pickup line, striking one car, though no injuries occurred.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) responded to conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the findings will be reviewed by the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan said, “Our priority is the safety of the community, the school, the wellbeing of all involved, and transparency throughout this process. Events like this raise many questions and emotions, and we are committed to providing timely, accurate information without compromising the integrity of the investigation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected.”

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact the GBI Thomasville Office at 229-225-4090.