Five-Year-Old Killed, Two Others Injured in Americus Shooting; GBI Investigating
UPDATE #2: On February 13, 2025, GBI agents arrested Ny’Tavion Smith, age 20, on charges of Aggravated Assault and Felony Murder in connection with the death of Peyton Roberts. Smith was taken into custody in Americus during the execution of a search warrant by the GBI Special Operations Unit, the GBI regional investigative office in Americus, and the Americus Police Department.
UPDATE: The GBI has arrested and charged Ricky Martin, age 19, with one count of Felony Murder, one count of Aggravated Assault, and one count of Aggravated Battery. Martin was booked into the Sumter County Jail.
The 19-year-old that was in critical condition at the hospital died due to his injuries. He has been identified as Jotavis Roshon Leverette. The investigation is still active and ongoing.
Original Post:
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is currently investigating a shooting that occurred on Saturday, February 8, 2025, in the 600 block of Eastview Circle. The Americus Police Department requested the GBI’s assistance following the incident.
At around 8:30 p.m., officers responded to reports of shots fired and discovered three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Peyton Brielle Roberts, a 5-year-old girl from Americus, was taken to Phoebe Sumter Hospital but later died from her injuries. A 19-year-old man was also transported to Phoebe Sumter before being transferred to another hospital, where he remains in critical condition. A third victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
GBI agents are conducting interviews with witnesses to determine the circumstances of the shooting. No arrests have been made as of yet. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office at 229-931-2439 or the Americus Police Department at 229-924-3677. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at Submit Tips Online , or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
