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Family members remember mass shooting victim

By Jade Bulecza - bio | email

VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) –Valdosta Police say they have identified suspects in that Sunday night shooting that killed one person and wounded ten others.

They say they may make arrests in the next couple days.

That deadly shootout was the latest in a string of violent crimes in Valdosta that left many people wondering how safe is the city.

Family members gather around Sydney Bivins home where a black wreath hangs in his memory. Bivins died Sunday at South Georgia Medical after a shooting at Hudson Dockett Apartments.

 "It's a sad,sad case, how they grow up fearing nothing and life is too short and we take life just for granted and everybody wants to prove who they are but killing someone don't prove who you are," said Alvanti Smith, Bivins’ aunt.

10 others were wounded in the shooting.

"He has a four-year-old son and then he has one that's on the way and his girlfriend is actually seven months pregnant," said Kimberly Colquitt, Bivins’ aunt.

Bivins' death is the ninth homicide in Valdosta this year.  A Valdosta State University Criminal justice professor says spikes in murders aren't uncommon.

"The last time we saw something like this was in 2005, we had seven murders in the city of Valdosta and I think three in Lowndes County for a total of 10 so we're on track unfortunately to meet those numbers if not exceed those numbers for this year," said Dr. Chris Sharp.

Dr. Sharp says population growth brings with it a clash of cultures and ideas.

"Couple that with the economic downturn, and there's a lot of frustration and strain."

However, he says Valdosta is better off economically than many parts of the country. He says community members must work as much as they can with law enforcement to stop violent crimes.

"The City of Valdosta and Lowndes County Sheriff's Office have done a good job of getting out there and working with the community," said Dr. Sharp. "They're clearance rate for murders is 100 percent."

"Even if we had 20 more officers there's no way any law enforcement agency can solve crimes by themselves," said Commander Brian Childress. 

When they're not investigating, Commander Childress says they're educating through their community policing program, hoping to prevent more violent crimes.

The South Georgia College entry program on the Valdosta State Campus will hold a memorial service for Sidney Bivins Monday at 6:30 at the University Center.

 
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