An evening gathering on East Main Street in Fort Valley turned deadly on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Willie Mangham III, a man described as in his late 40s and a local father, was fatally shot at an event center following an altercation. Emergency crews arrived about 7:00 p.m. and found Mangham had died at the scene.

Two other men were wounded in the same incident. One was Mangham’s son, who suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and was taken to a Macon hospital for treatment; another man sustained a gunshot wound to his hand. The Fort Valley Police Department opened an investigation and has been gathering evidence, but public reports have not named suspects or announced arrests.

The community and Mangham’s family remain without answers as the investigation continues. If anyone was at the event or has information that could help, please come forward to the Fort Valley Police Department.