TIFTON, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has confirmed that 16-year-old Jamahri Sims was killed and another person injured in a tragic shooting that unfolded Monday afternoon in Tifton. The incident has shaken the small South Georgia community, prompting renewed calls for unity and parental involvement from local leaders.
According to the GBI, officers with the Tifton Police Department (TPD) responded to reports of gunfire along South Central Avenue at approximately 1 p.m. on October 6. Upon arrival, they found Sims suffering from a gunshot wound. The teenager was rushed to Tift Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries despite life-saving efforts from medical personnel.
Investigators later discovered that another individual had also been shot during the incident. That victim was located at a home near East 13th Street and was transported to the same hospital, where they continue to receive treatment for their injuries. Authorities have not released that person’s name or updated their condition as of Tuesday afternoon.
In a heartfelt post on social media, Tift County Schools expressed their sorrow over Sims’s death, describing him as a valued student whose passing has left a deep void. The school district also extended condolences to his family, classmates, and teachers as they cope with the sudden loss.
Tifton Police Chief Steve Hyman issued an emotional statement on Facebook following the shooting, recounting the desperate efforts by first responders to save Sims’s life. He urged parents and community members to work together to address the ongoing issue of gun violence among teens, emphasizing that “no program or operation can ever equal the power of good parenting at home.” Chief Hyman called for stronger family engagement and accountability to prevent further tragedies.
The GBI stated that Sims’s body will be transported to the GBI Crime Lab in Macon for an autopsy. Once the investigation concludes, the case will be presented to the Tift County District Attorney’s Office for review. Authorities continue to ask anyone with information about the shooting to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080 or the Tifton Police Department at 229-382-3132. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).