Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrests 3 after aggravated assault investigation in Sumter County

AMERICUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced on Tuesday that three people were taken into custody following an aggravated assault investigation in Sumter County.

Ashton Pride, 20 of Smithville, GA, Micah Stephens, 19, and Arderion Jones, 17, both of Americus, GA were taken into custody and face multiple charges following the investigation.

According to the GBI, on Aug. 2, the agency was requested by the Americus Police Department to assist in an ongoing aggravated assault investigation after officers responded to the 100 block of Knollwood Drive regarding a man who had been shot.

When officers arrived, they found D’Shawndra Morris, of Desoto, GA, on the ground and suffering from a gunshot wound.

Americus PD, along with Americus Fire and Rescue, provided medical assistance, and Morris was eventually taken to Phoebe Sumter Hospital and was later transferred to Phoebe Putney in Albany, GA.

On Aug. 8, Pride was taken into custody by the Regional Investigative Office in Americus, the Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the West Georgia Gang Task Force, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Stephens was taken into custody by the Americus Police Department on the same day as Pride, while GBI agents took Jones into custody on Monday.

The three individuals face the following charges:

Ashton Pride:

• Three counts of aggravated assault
• Aggravated battery
• Second-degree criminal damage to property
• Theft by taking, entering auto
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime

Arderion Jones:

• Three counts of aggravated assault
• Aggravated battery
• Second-degree criminal damage to property
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime

Micah Stephens:

• Two counts of party to the crime of aggravated assault

The investigation remains ongoing, and the GBI encourages anyone with additional information to contact the Regional Investigative Office at 229-931-2439.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at Submit Tips Online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.