Fight left one hospitalized before deadly Fort Valley shooting, police report indicates

Arrests have been made in a fight that preceded the killing of a Fort Valley man who was shot multiple times June 1 at his apartment complex in a possibly gang-related incident, authorities say.

Juan Stewart, 24, died at the Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent Health. Two people were arrested the next day and charged with murder.

Fort Valley police announced earlier this week that warrants had been issued for five people involved in the fight after several videos of the fight surfaced on social media.

The fight happened less than three hours before the shooting, hospitalizing the victim in intensive care with a neck injury at the Medical Center, Navicent Health, according to a Fort Valley police incident report.

The five individuals are charged in relation to the fight that was connected by police to the shooting. Four of the five have been arrested.

Deshard Postell, 21, Fort Valley, was being sought on charges of battery and participation in criminal street gang activity.

Those arrested include:

• Jadarius Sanders, 23, of Fort Valley, on charges of aggravated battery and participation in criminal street gang activity.
• Shandreka Warren, 21, and Pierre Williams, 21, both of Perry, on charges of battery and participation in criminal street gang activity
• Richard “Ricky” Lee Postell, 27, of Fort Valley, was charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
• Unique Williams, 26, of Fort Valley, was charged with murder and aggravated assault as a party to the crime.

Fort Valley Public Safety Director Lawrence Spurgeon said investigators are still sorting through the case and more arrests are possible.

On the day of the shooting, officers responding to a 5:20 p.m. call of shots fired at Lakeview Apartments at 1105 Edward St. attempted to render medical aid to Stewart until emergency medical service workers arrived.

Stewart died from multiple gunshot wounds in the hospital’s Emergency Room at 5:54 p.m., said Peach County Coroner Kerry Rooks.

Stewart lived at the apartment complex, Rooks said.

According to a police incident report, Fort Valley police Officer Pattrick Warren arrived on scene to see “people scattering and running around.”

“The sounds of screams and yells was echoing all over the complex,” Warren said in the report.

Two fellow officers were performing CPR on Stewart. He attempted to clear the breezeway and crime scene of “people who were all over the place.”

After talking with several people, Warren noted in the report that no one gave him any information.

He did overhear some information, but “nothing with any substantial evidence to support the claims.”

The report indicated that the shooting was gang-related and named the Gangster Disciples.

The Georgia Department of Investigation, the Peach County Sheriff’s Department and the Peach County Drug Enforcement Unit were assisting Fort Valley police.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Fort Valley police at 478 825-3384, or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 7:39 AM.