Greenville Man Facing Charges After Shooting

By JOHN KUYKENDALL
A Greenville man is facing charges after a shooting incident that occurred in the Rocky Mount area on Sunday, June 21, according to Sheriff Chuck Smith.
According to Sheriff Smith, on Sunday, June 21 at approximately 6:48 p.m., the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a person had been shot at 5428 Luthersville Road in Luthersville.
According to reports filed at the Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at the Sunoco Station Parking Lot, also known locally as Gentry’s Country Store, located near the intersection of Luthersville Road and Rocky Mount Road.
“Deputies responded to the scene and located an adult female inside a vehicle suffering from an apparent single gunshot wound to the head,” Sheriff Smith said. “Deputies immediately secured the scene while personnel from Meriwether County Fire/EMS rendered emergency medical care.
“Through the coordinated efforts of deputies, Meriwether County Fire Rescue, and EMS personnel, the victim was stabilized and subsequently airlifted to an Atlanta-area trauma center for further treatment.”
According to Sheriff Smith, Investigators with the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
“During the initial response, deputies and investigators had to verify the information based on the investigative facts located at the scene related to the circumstances surrounding the shooting,” Sheriff Smith said.
“Investigators therefore conducted extensive interviews, reviewed surveillance footage, processed the scene, and pursued other investigative leads to accurately determine what had occurred. This was inclusive of executing search warrants.
“The investigation determined this was an isolated domestic-related incident and that there was no continuing threat to the public.”
As a result of the investigation, investigators obtained warrants charging Deshontae Chaiman Clements, 41 year old black male from Greenville with the offenses of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Clements was taken into custody and was transported to the Meriwether County Jail and is being held without bond.
“The victim in this matter currently is listed as stable but critical condition at an Atlanta-area trauma center,” Sheriff Smith said.
“We understand the public’s interest whenever a serious incident like this occurs, and we are committed to keeping our community informed.
“In this case, our investigators were able to make an arrest after gathering items of evidentiary value and determine what had occurred in the initial stages of the investigation. This was done while only having a one-sided conflicting story at the time as our victim was receiving lifesaving treatment after the incident had occurred.
“Our Investigators worked diligently into the late night and traveled out of county to the Atlanta Trauma Hospital to gather additional information on our victim.
“Investigators worked to verify the facts before releasing information publicly, while also protecting the integrity of this active criminal investigation. At no time was there believed to be an ongoing threat to the public.
“Our deputies, investigators, Meriwether County Fire Rescue, EMS personnel, emergency communications staff, and our law enforcement partners worked together to bring clarity to a rapidly evolving situation. I appreciate the professionalism they demonstrated and the patience shown by our community as we worked to ensure the information released was timely, accurate, and responsible.”
According to Sheriff Smith, the investigation remains active and additional charges are possible as investigators continue to gather and evaluate evidence in the case.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division by calling (706) 672-4489.