VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — Four people were arrested after Valdosta Police (VPD) officers observed a crowd of over 150 people in a parking lot, according to a VPD press release. Police said there was a fight at the center of the crowd.

The incident was on Sunday, May 17, at about 3:45 a.m., according to VPD.

Officers reportedly ran into the crowd, which was in a parking lot in the 2000 block of Bemiss Road. Officials said they saw two men physically assaulting another man by punching and kicking him while he was on the ground.

The offenders were identified as Jon’Marre Cheatem, 19, and Grant Washington, 20. Once Cheatem and Washinton saw the officers, they began to run, VPD said.

While on the ground trying to restrain Cheatem, an officer saw that Cheatem had a handgun concealed in his pocket, according to the press release.

VPD said that both Cheatem and Washington were tased as they attempted to flee from officers.

Officers said that while putting Cheatem and Washington in patrol vehicles, another fight broke out between two women, later identified as Kaitlin Scott, 22, and Lakembria Dennison, 26.

Both Scott and Dennison were also arrested, VPD said.

Washington, Scott and Dennison were taken to the Lowndes County Jail, VPD said. Those three were charged with affray (misdemeanor) and disorderly conduct (misdemeanor), according to the VPD.

Washington has an additional charge of obstruction of an officer (misdemeanor), while Dennison has also been charged with obstruction of an officer (felony), VPD said.

VPD reported that Cheatem was taken to the hospital to be evaluated for complaints of injuries. After being treated and released from the hospital, he was also taken to Lowndes County Jail.

Cheatem has been charged with the following, according to VPD:

• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (felony)
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime (felony)
• Tampering with evidence (misdemeanor)
• Obstruction of an officer (misdemeanor)
• Disorderly conduct (misdemeanor)
• Affray (misdemeanor)

VPD added that the incident is still under investigation to identify the party responsible for the crowd.

WALB will provide updates as we learn more. Stay with us.

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