AMERICUS, Ga. – A 19-year-old man has been arrested after carrying an AR-15 rifle on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), prompting a campus-wide lockdown.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced the arrest of Khamani Clayton, of Americus, who now faces charges of theft by receiving stolen property and carrying weapons within a school safety zone.
The incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, when law enforcement responded to reports of an armed individual near the Magnolia Courtyard area of GSW’s campus. As a safety measure, students, faculty, and staff were ordered to shelter in place, while others were told to stay away from the area.
According to the GBI, Clayton entered campus during the early morning hours and was spotted near dormitories with the firearm. The sighting of the weapon later in the day—while Clayton was reportedly leaving campus—sparked fears of an active shooter, though no shots were fired and no injuries were reported.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including GBI agents, GSW campus police, the Americus Police Department, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Natural Resources. After a full campus sweep, officials confirmed that there was no active shooter threat.
Clayton was taken into custody approximately two miles away from the university near the Circle K on South Lee Street, according to GSW Director of Public Safety Michael Lewis.
He is currently booked at the Sumter County Law Enforcement Center, and the investigation remains ongoing.
