Man Shot at Woodland Trail Apartments in LaGrange; Suspect Michael J. Ford Arrested After Attempted Escape
LaGrange, GA – July 3, 2025 — A violent incident disrupted the quiet of a residential community Thursday afternoon, when a man was shot and wounded at the Woodland Trail Apartments located on North Davis Road in LaGrange. The LaGrange Police Department responded promptly to reports of gunfire and swiftly took a suspect into custody.
According to police officials, officers were dispatched to the apartment complex at approximately 2:45 p.m. after multiple 911 calls reported a shooting in progress. Upon arrival, law enforcement found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, whose name has not been released pending family notification, was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel before being transported to a nearby hospital. He remains in stable condition, according to authorities.
The suspected shooter, identified as 32-year-old Michael J. Ford, was apprehended by officers as he attempted to flee the scene on foot. Witnesses reported seeing Ford run from the area immediately after the shots were fired. Officers initiated a brief foot chase and were able to detain him without further incident a few blocks from the apartment complex.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute between Ford and the victim. Police have not yet disclosed the nature of their relationship or the circumstances that led to the confrontation. However, they confirmed that a firearm was recovered during the arrest, and ballistic testing is underway to determine if it was used in the incident.
Michael J. Ford is currently being held at the Troup County Jail and faces several charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and attempting to elude law enforcement. Additional charges may be filed pending the outcome of the investigation.
Residents of the Woodland Trail Apartments expressed shock and concern over the shooting. Several neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots, followed by sirens and a heavy police presence. Many described the community as generally peaceful, making Thursday’s violence all the more unsettling.
LaGrange Police Department officials have reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community. “Thanks to the quick action of our responding officers and the cooperation of witnesses, we were able to apprehend the suspect before anyone else was harmed,” said Sgt. Michael Payne of LPD in a press briefing. “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and encourage anyone with further information to come forward.”
The investigation remains active, and anyone with relevant details or video footage is urged to contact the LaGrange Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Section at (706) 883-2603 or Troup County Crime Stoppers.
As the community processes this traumatic event, law enforcement and local leaders are emphasizing the importance of conflict resolution and continued vigilance in ensuring public safety