Community mourns man shot and killed in Valdosta

October 24, 2017

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) -- Local residents rushed to the scene at the Ora Lee West housing complex and were shocked by what they found.

Evidence in the street showed where 39-year-old Tovara Flowers was shot and killed.

"My heart goes out to the family and whoever is involved in it," says Joann McSwie, a local resident.

Many who know the victim and his family say the incident should have never happened.

"My heart just goes out to the family. I'll keep the family in my prayers," says Carla Wade.

Wade says she grew up going to church with Flowers and his family.

"He didn't bother anyone and I know that for a fact. We were raised together and that's just shocking," says Wade.

"It's sad because someone has lost a family member," says Lt. Adam Bembry, with the Valdosta Police Department.

Community members are now begging for the violence to stop.

The violence is getting crazy," says James Smith Flowers' cousin. "It's out of hand right now."

Smith says Flowers was a person many looked up to, but is now suddenly gone.

"It's really scary because we know how we come into this world, but we never know how we're going to leave it," says Wade.

The loss is now causing widespread heartbreak in Ora Lee West.

October 24, 2017

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) – The Valdosta Police Department says one man is dead and another is behind bars after a shooting on Tuesday morning.

Officials say the shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. in the 600 block of E. Jane Street.

Officers arrived on scene to find a man who had been shot multiple times. VPD officers and deputies with the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office provided first aid to the victim until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to a local hospital but later pronounced dead. Police have identified the shooting victim as 39-year-old Tovara Flowers.

During the investigation, the Valdosta City Camera system picked up a subject running from the area. An alert was issued for the subject and a K-9 unit was deployed.

VPD says, within minutes, Narcotics Detectives located the person of interest near the intersection of East Moore Street and North Forrest Street. The man was detained and evidence was collected that officials say may connect him to the shooting.

The person of interest, identified as 31-year-old Jean Claude Doricien, was brought to the police department where he was interviewed by Person’s Crime Detectives.

Doricien was subsequently taken into custody and charged with felony murder. Officials say further charges may be forthcoming.

Police say this appears to be an isolated incident and no additional suspects are being sought.

Doricien is being held in the Lowndes County Jail.