Georgia School Shooting: Gunman Killed After Firing at Cars Near Elementary

A chilling incident unfolded just outside S.L. Mason Elementary School in Valdosta, Georgia, on Thursday, September 25, 2025, when a gunman opened fire on vehicles waiting to pick up students. The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Tychicus Armondo Deshazer, was shot and killed by police before he could enter the school building .

What Happened: A Timeline of Events

2:30 PM

Shots fired at pickup line

2:31 PM

School placed on lockdown

2:33 PM

Officer confronts gunman

2:35 PM

Suspect pronounced dead

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Deshazer—armed with a pistol—fired at least one round, striking a vehicle in the car line. No students, staff, or bystanders were injured .

🚨 Critical Detail: Deshazer lived just one block from the school and was already being sought by police in connection with an unrelated prior incident .

Law Enforcement Response

A Valdosta Police Department officer stationed nearby heard the gunfire and immediately responded. Upon arrival, she spotted Deshazer with a weapon and confronted him as he moved toward the school’s front entrance. Officers opened fire, fatally wounding him .

Despite efforts to render aid, Deshazer was pronounced dead at the scene. The officers involved, including the school’s resource officer, have been placed on standard administrative leave pending an independent GBI investigation .

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Location	S.L. Mason Elementary School, Valdosta, GA (230 miles south of Atlanta)
Date & Time	September 25, 2025, ~2:30 PM
Suspect	Tychicus Armondo Deshazer, 25, local resident
Injuries	None reported; one vehicle struck
Weapon Used	Handgun (pistol)

Community and School Response

Valdosta City Schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Lockhart praised the swift actions of law enforcement and school staff, crediting regular safety drills for the successful outcome .

“Our law enforcement partners and our school staff are true heroes,” Dr. Lockhart said in a video statement.

Counselors and additional support staff will be available when students return on Monday. Families can request a list of local mental health resources through the district .

Broader Context: School Safety in Georgia

This incident adds to growing national concerns about gun violence near schools. According to the U.S. Department of Education, over 100 school-related shooting threats were reported nationwide in the first month of the 2025–2026 academic year alone .

Georgia law requires all public schools to conduct monthly safety drills, including active-shooter scenarios—a protocol that likely contributed to the calm and coordinated response in Valdosta .

For more on how schools prepare for emergencies, see our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:school-safety-drills-and-protocols].