Young Man Charged With Murder in Deadly Tifton Apartment Shooting

TIFTON, Ga. – A 21-year-old Tifton man has been arrested and charged with murder in a shooting that killed a 23-year-old man and left two other people injured, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Javious Taylor is charged with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in connection with the death of Michael Benefield, 23, of Tifton.

The shooting happened Aug. 29 near the Wildwood Apartments and the 1100 block of Milton Drive.

Tift County 911 began receiving reports of gunfire in the area around 10 p.m. When Tifton police officers arrived, they found Benefield suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Benefield was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man and woman were also injured during the shooting. Both were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.

The Tifton Police Department asked the GBI to assist with the homicide investigation.

Taylor was arrested Sept. 3 and booked into the Tift County Jail.

Authorities have not disclosed what led to the shooting, Taylor’s alleged relationship to Benefield or the circumstances surrounding the injuries to the other two victims.

Benefield’s body was taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Anyone with information can contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080 or the Tifton Police Department at 229-382-3132.