VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — A 10-year-old boy was shot by a 9-year-old while the two were playing with a gun on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, according to the Valdosta Police Department.

Officers responded to Brittany Woods Apartments, 1150 Old Statenville Road, around 5 p.m. for a report of a child being shot. When officers arrived, they found a 10-year-old boy with an apparent injury to his face.

Valdosta firefighters and Emergency Medical Services from South Georgia Medical Center arrived and provided first aid before transporting the victim to the hospital.

Officers spoke with a 9-year-old boy at the apartment, who said he and the victim were playing with a gun when it discharged.

The victim was transported to a hospital in Florida for specialized care. He is listed in stable but critical condition, according to police.

Police identified the victim as Javion. His mother, Marshania English, identified the victim as her son. She said he is in surgery and is currently stable.

Mother describes moments after shooting

English said her son kept telling her to call the police after he was shot.

“But he just kept saying, ‘Mom, call the police, call the police,’ and when I snapped out of it, I ran in the house to grab my phone to call the police and the EMTs to get them out there as soon as they could,” English said.

English said she asked her son what happened as she was calling police.

“He was like, ‘Mom, I told him to stop pointing the gun at me numerous of times, and he didn’t,’” English said.

English said the 9-year-old also spoke about what happened.

“Yeah, he did tell me to stop pointing the gun, but then the gun went off,” English said the boy told her. She said the boy then got down and asked, “Am I going to go to jail?”

Condition and recovery

English said her son just got out of surgery.

“He still has a bullet lodged in his, the back of his neck,” English said. “But they have did surgery on his mouth.”

English said her son remains in critical condition because of the bullet’s location.

“He’s still looking at critical condition because with the bullet still being there, it could possibly move and hit his spine,” English said.

English said her son likes to play football, draw and play video games.

“He’s a big gamer. He loves Roblox and Fortnite,” English said.

English said the 9-year-old was not a relative but someone her son met in the neighborhood after the family moved there about five and a half months ago.

Mother’s message to parents

English said she wants the community to continue sending prayers and support.

She said she wants something done to the 9-year-old’s parent.

“I want something done to the parent because that was just, I don’t even know the word to even express,” English said.

English said she has four children and works a full-time job.

“For me to have to stop everything I’m doing to come make sure my son is okay, like, it’s very stressful because I still have bills. I still have things that I have to handle for my kids,” English said.

English described her son as quiet and said the shooting happened quickly.

“He just went out to play one day, you know, to play with somebody that he thought was a friend,” English said. “And just something like that could just happen so quick in the snap of a moment.”

She said she wants parents who have firearms in their home to secure their weapons.

Investigation ongoing

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming as detectives continue to gather and review information. Police said no further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.

“Anytime a child is injured, especially in an incident like this that could have been prevented, it affects our community,” said Chief Leslie Manahan. “Our thoughts are with the child and his family, as we pray for a quick and full recovery. This is a very tragic example of why firearms need to be kept in a secure location, where children cannot have easy access.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has further information, is encouraged to call the Valdosta Police Department at 229-242-2606, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at valdostacity.com/police-department.

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