On Sunday, October 5, 2025, at approximately 3:40PM, the Soperton Police Departmentreceived a call in the 100 block of New Street in reference to shots fired. The responding officer located a 15-year-old male in the area with multiple gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, the teen succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.
Simultaneously, a 17-year-oldteen presented at the EMS headquarters with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported via ambulance to Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia and was then transported via helicopter to a trauma unit in critical condition.
The Soperton Police Department, Treutlen County Sheriff's Office, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation began a joint investigation. Personnel from the investigating agencies, as well as several assisting agencies, worked throughout the night into Monday morning.
As a result of the investigation, Emily Ford, 20, of Dublin, GA, and Allen Knight, 19, of Soperton, GA, were arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault, Party to the Crime – Felony Murder, and Party to the Crime – Aggravated Assault
“Investigations are dynamic with a lot of moving parts. The investigating agencies, as well as the partner law enforcement agencies who assisted, all had a unified goal: Find the facts and seek justice for the victims”, said Brian Scott, Chief of Police for the City of Soperton. Scott added "this is a very tragic incident resulting from a senseless act of violence".
In addition to the investigating agencies, the following agencies provided support during this investigation: Georgia State Patrol - Swainsboro and Dublin Posts, Laurens County Sheriff's Office, Dublin Police Department, Bibb County Sheriff's Office, and Dublin Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office.
This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone who has information is encouraged to call the Treutlen County 911 Center at (912) 529-3222 or the GBI Eastman Office at (478) 374-6988. Tips can also be submitted by calling (800) 597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
