VALDOSTA Ga.-- Police officers chase a car after a gun is discharged, and find a juvenile driver, a stolen gun, and a felony amount of marijuana.
Valdosta Police Department Officers where in the area of the 1100 block of Old Statenville Road, early Monday morning when they heard a single gunshot come from the direction of an apartment complex.
According to reports, the officers then observed a dark colored vehicle pull out from the apartment complex and quickly drive away from the area.
Officers say they attempted to pull the vehicle over but the vehicle refused to stop and so they pursued it.
Reports say while in pursuit, one officer clearly saw the passenger of the vehicle throw a firearm out of the window of the vehicle.
The vehicle pursuit ended shortly after the driver lost control.
After searching the vehicle officers say they uncovered a felony amount of Marijuana.
They say the firearm that was observed being thrown from the vehicle was recovered and was discovered to have been stolen from a Lowndes County Burglary from 2014.
"In this case the offenders discharged a firearm in a highly populated area which threatened the safety of the multiple residents in the area. The officers involved in this case did an excellent job taking immediate action before someone was hurt" said Lieutenant Adam Bembry.
Both the juvenile driver and passenger, Demarques Bartee, were taken into custody. Warrants have been obtained on Bartee, 20, who now faces the following charges:
* Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (FELONY)
* Tampering with Evidence (FELONY)
* Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (FELONY)
* Possession of Marijuana (FELONY)
* Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (FELONY)
* Discharge of a Firearm within 50 Yards of a Public Highway (Misdemeanor)
The juvenile offender in this case has been charged in the Juvenile Justice system with:
* Driving without a Valid License
* Reckless Driving
* Fleeing and Attempting to Elude a Police Officer
* Failure to Maintain Lane
