Man Charged with Murder After Homeless Camp Fire Kills One, Critically Injures Another in Valdosta

VALDOSTA, Ga. – A 53-year-old man has been charged with malice murder after authorities say he intentionally set two fires at homeless camps, killing one man, seriously injuring a woman and burning a dog.

According to the Valdosta Police Department, the investigation began at approximately 7 a.m. on Aug. 4 when a passerby called 911 after seeing a woman run from a wooded area in the 1300 block of Lankford Drive screaming that she had been burned and that a fire was burning in the woods.

First responders from the Valdosta Fire Department, Valdosta Police Department and South Georgia Medical Center Emergency Medical Services arrived to find two separate fires burning in what appeared to be homeless camps.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and located two victims suffering from severe burn injuries.

A 37-year-old woman sustained serious burns to her extremities, while 35-year-old Joshua Reagan suffered extensive burns over his body. Both victims were initially transported to a local hospital before being transferred to a specialized burn center in Florida.

A small dog with minor burn injuries was also rescued from the scene. Lowndes County Animal Control took custody of the animal, which has since been treated and is recovering.

As detectives and crime scene investigators processed the evidence, they determined that 53-year-old Grady Callaway had been involved in a verbal altercation with the two victims before the fire. Investigators said Callaway threatened to harm the pair during the dispute.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. the same day, Valdosta police officers and detectives located Callaway riding a bicycle on a trail near the 1100 block of West Gordon Street. He was taken into custody on an unrelated active arrest warrant and later interviewed by detectives before being booked into the Lowndes County Jail.

At approximately 9 p.m., investigators learned that Reagan had died from his injuries.

Following Reagan’s death, detectives charged Callaway with malice murder, aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of first-degree arson and one count of cruelty to animals.

The female victim remains hospitalized in stable condition as she continues recovering from her injuries.

“Our thoughts go out to Mr. Reagan’s family as they grieve the tragic loss of their loved one, and for another victim who is facing a tough road of recovery,” Police Chief Leslie Manahan said. “I commend the dedicated and persistent work of our officers and detectives, leaving no stone unturned to find this offender to hold him accountable for his actions.”

The investigation remains ongoing.