LAKELAND — A Wednesday night shooting claimed the life of an 18-year-old man in Lakeland.

At approximately 11 p.m., Lakeland police and EMS personnel were dispatched to the 600 block of Peeler Avenue after a shooting was reported, according to Lakeland Police Chief Robby Grantham. Members of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Department of Corrections Special Operations K-9 unit and Lanier County Sheriff’s Office responded for assistance as well.

Upon arrival, authorities discovered Demono Nelms, who had been shot in his chest. Nelms was transported to Lewis Smith Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

According to Grantham, the shooting was the result of a physical altercation that escalated. A shooting suspect was taken into custody on the night of the incident. Kellen Larke, 23, is charged with murder and is being held in the Lowndes County Jail, Grantham said.

Other specifics of the shooting could not be released, as the investigation continues.

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Money, drugs reportedly found during search

LAKELAND — The search of a Lakeland residence led to the arrest of two men on drug charges Friday.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Lakeland police executed a search warrant at 625 E. Peeler Ave, according to Narcotics Sgt. Justice Jones. During the search, authorities found $1,548 in drug money and eight grams of crack cocaine, Jones said.

The occupants of the residence were also found to have two active arrest warrants for the sale of cocaine. Trevor Bell, 26, and Keith Campbell, 24, were taken into custody and transported to the Lanier County Sheriff’s Office, Jones said. At press time, charges of cocaine possession with intent to distribute were pending, he said.