VALDOSTA, GA (WTXL) -- Tragedy strikes Valdosta once again -- this time at the Ora Lee West housing complex, where there's been a shooting each of the past three years.
The Lowndes County community is mourning the loss of 20-year-old Emory Carter, Jr.
Authorities said he was shot multiple times just after 9 p.m. Monday on the 600 block of East Ann Street.
The shooting was a couple blocks away from an organization called "Citizens Against Violence." It was founded by local pastor Reverend J.D. Martin in October 2015; he relocated it to the Ora Lee West neighborhood in August.
Martin said the neighborhood has been prone to crime, but the community can turn things around by taking action and speaking up.
"This happened on my watch, and I want the people to know in this area that this is not acceptable. This is not going to be tolerated. I am very upset, and something is going to be done," said Martin. "It's a shame. We need to know who killed this young man. We need to know what took place. Somebody in this community knows what's happening. Somebody in this community knows everything that's going on."
Reverend Martin and his wife Ethel have lived in Valdosta for the past 25 years. They say they knew Carter, Jr. personally.
He grew up with the nickname "Woo Woo" and was part of the Martins' ministry as a child at King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church.
Ethel Martin said she remembers him as a child and said his smile would light up any room, but somewhere along the road, he got caught up in the wrong crowd.
"Citizens Against Violence" works to combat issues that lead to violence, like homelessness and joblessness. She said it's important for the community to take action to keep tragedies like this from happening.
"if you're tired of violence, stand up and say so," Martin said. "These are your children that are getting gunned down. These are your children! They say it takes a village to raise a child. That's what they said when I was coming along. Now, it takes a village plus."
The organization provides free counseling and social services to encourage people to get help. It's also started community policing to help law enforcement keep a closer eye on crime.
This was the second fatal shooting in Valdosta in the past three weeks. The brother of NFL player Telvin Smith was killed on November 13.
