VALDOSTA, Ga. — A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a deadly workplace shooting at a Valdosta travel center that left one young employee dead and several others injured, authorities confirmed. The incident has shaken the local community as investigators continue working to determine what led to the violence.
Officials say 21-year-old Damani Bentley was killed in the shooting, which took place Sunday morning at Jay Boy’s Travel Center off Interstate 75. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that multiple people were shot during the incident, all of whom were employees at the business. Authorities have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Three additional victims were injured in the shooting and transported for medical treatment. Officials said their injuries were not considered life-threatening, and they are expected to recover. The condition of all surviving victims has been closely monitored as family members await updates.
Law enforcement identified the suspect as Jabari Nelms, who has been taken into custody and is facing charges including murder. Investigators say Nelms is currently not cooperating with authorities as they continue to gather evidence and reconstruct the timeline of events leading up to the shooting.
According to Sheriff Ashley Paulk, investigators believe a dispute may have taken place at the workplace the day before the shooting, though the exact nature of that disagreement and who was involved has not yet been confirmed. Officials are still working to determine what triggered the deadly escalation.
Sheriff Paulk also noted that Nelms reportedly ran out of ammunition during the attack, a detail he described as potentially preventing further loss of life. Authorities added that a deputy arrived on scene within minutes of the initial call, a rapid response they believe helped prevent additional injuries. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to fully understand the circumstances behind the shooting.