Suspect in custody in fatal shooting in Fort Valley, police say

A man is dead after a shooting Saturday afternoon in Fort Valley.

Alton Cotton, 57, was pronounced dead at the Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent Health, the Fort Valley Department of Public Safety posted on Facebook.

Arrest warrants on a charge of murder have been issued for 46-year-old Dereckson Clark, the post said.

Clark turned himself into authorities early Saturday evening, said Public Safety Director Lawrence Spurgeon by telephone.

About 2:30 p.m., Fort Valley police dispatched to 201 Troutman Ave. found Cotton with gunshot wound to his upper torso.

“Detectives from the Fort Valley Police Department are in the beginning stages of this investigation,” Spurgeon said in the post.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Peach County Special Response Team and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Fort Valley police at 478-825-3383, or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

This story was originally published February 22, 2020 at 5:55 PM.