Fort Valley Man Arrested Nearly Year After Fatal Shooting of New Jersey Man
FORT VALLEY, Ga. – A 25-year-old Fort Valley man has been arrested on murder and other felony charges in connection with the 2025 shooting death of a New Jersey man, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The GBI identified the suspect as Justin Jaleel Clark, 25, of Fort Valley. Clark is charged in connection with the death of Devonte Denzell McMillian, 30, of Plainsfield, New Jersey.
Clark was arrested on Aug. 14, 2026, nearly a year after the fatal shooting. He was booked into the Peach County Jail on charges of:
- Murder
- Aggravated Assault
- Aggravated Battery
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime
The GBI announced the arrest Tuesday, Aug. 18.
McMillian Shot at Fort Valley Home
The investigation dates back to Aug. 30, 2025.
At approximately 7:44 p.m., Peach County 911 received a report of shots fired at a residence in the 500 block of Hinton Street in Fort Valley.
Fort Valley Police Department officers arrived and found McMillian suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began lifesaving measures before McMillian was transported to an area hospital.
He was later pronounced dead.
McMillian’s body was transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
The Fort Valley Police Department subsequently requested assistance from the GBI with the death investigation.
Investigation Led to Arrest Nearly One Year Later
Authorities have not disclosed what evidence developed during the investigation led them to identify Clark as a suspect. The GBI also did not provide a possible motive for the shooting or describe the relationship, if any, between Clark and McMillian.
Clark’s Aug. 14 arrest came 349 days after McMillian was shot.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Perry at 478-987-4545.