Warner Robins man arrested for involvement in Monday shooting

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — An 18-year-old Warner Robins man was taken into custody earlier this week for his involvement in a fight on Monday night that led to shots fired, the police department said. On Wednesday, the department announced in a release that an arrest had been made on the suspected shooter.

The arrest stems from a shooting on the evening of April 10. Around 7:30 p.m., Warner Robins Police Department was dispatched to Houston Healthcare – Warner Robins in response to a 17-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

Preliminary investigation revealed the victim, Trae Smith of Bonaire, and the suspect, Jatavious Manning of Warner Robins, had an altercation at Rocky’s, a convenience store located on Pleasant Hill Road.

Further investigation revealed Smith and Manning knew each other; police said they were friends arguing about a family member of Manning’s, when the fight escalated to shots fired.

Both Manning and Smith fled the scene. Smith was taken to the hospital and stabilized, then transported to Atrium Health Navicent in Macon. He is expected to make a full recovery.

According to WRPD, Manning was identified through tips, and arrested on April 11. Lt. Eric Gossman expressed gratitude for the community’s help in bringing an arrest to fruition with a quick turnaround time.

“Thank you for your help in coming forward, to help prevent some further violence or unintended victims. It was good police work through Detective Nix and the investigative team, but if people hadn’t come forward, they would have never gotten to the point as quickly as they did,” Gossman said.

As of press time on Friday, Manning is housed at the Houston County Detention Facility.

HHJ News