Tevin Jay Love, 32, of Valdosta, faces charges including terroristic threats and aggravated assault following a shooting incident on October 1 at the Dollar General in the 2100 block of Bemiss Road. The Valdosta Police Department confirmed that a 28-year-old man, who shot Love during the altercation, will not face any charges. Police say the incident began when Love reportedly attacked his girlfriend and her teenage daughter inside the store, leading to the intervention of a citizen.
According to the Valdosta Police Department, 911 dispatchers received a call just before 5 p.m. on October 1, reporting a man beating a woman at the Dollar General. While officers were en route, the caller updated dispatch, stating someone had been shot. Upon arrival, officers were given a description of the shooter and located the 28-year-old man standing in the store's parking lot, where he was detained without incident.
Inside the store, Valdosta Police Department officers found Tevin Jay Love being held down by another individual. Love had sustained a gunshot wound to the torso. Officers immediately provided medical care to Love until paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital for treatment. Officers also located the woman who Love had reportedly attacked, noting injuries to her head. She was also transported to the hospital for medical attention.
The Valdosta Police Department's investigation revealed that the woman was shopping inside the Dollar General with her teenage daughter when Love entered the store. Police say Love, identified as the woman’s boyfriend, immediately began to hit her. As the woman fell to the ground, Love reportedly continued his assault. Her teenage daughter attempted to intervene and stop the attack, at which point Love also struck the daughter, according to the police report.
During Love's attack, a 28-year-old man, who was shopping in the store, witnessed and heard the ongoing assault, police reported. The shopper drew his firearm and attempted to stop Love from continuing to attack the woman. Police say the woman managed to escape and ran out of the store. As the shopper attempted to hold Love at gunpoint, Love reportedly charged at the man and began to hit him as well. In response, the shopper fired his gun once, hitting Love.
Tevin Jay Love was released from the hospital on Friday, October 9, and was subsequently taken to the Lowndes County Jail. He faces charges of terroristic threats, aggravated assault, simple battery, and simple assault, according to the Valdosta Police Department. The 28-year-old man who fired his weapon will not face any charges, police confirmed.
Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan commented on the incident, stating that the citizen "observed a female getting viciously beaten by the offender" and took action to stop the assault. Chief Manahan further noted that the shooter's swift actions stopped the attack and prevented the female from sustaining more violent injuries, even while putting his own life in danger.
