UPDATE (8:45 a.m.): Covington Police Department Capt. Ken Malcom told The Covington News Thursday morning that some of the persons of interest in the Wednesday night homicide have been located. 

"We are actively continuing our investigation," he said. 

---

COVINGTON, Ga. (6:45 a.m.) - The Covington Police Department is investigating a Wednesday evening homicide that took place after what is believed to have started as an argument between five individuals. 

According to a statement from CPD Capt. Ken Malcom, around 8:34 p.m. CPD responded to 4177 Washington Street in reference to a person being shot. 

"When officers arrived they discovered a male victim with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen," Malcom reported. 

The victim has been identified as 40-year-old Shelvis Dwayne Hillman, of Covington. He was transported to Piedmont Newton Hospital where he succumbed to his injury. 

"Detectives from the CPD are working on leads to identify four individuals that were involved in this incident," Malcom said. "It is believed that this incident began as an argument between the victim and these individuals that escalated into the victim being shot."

Anyone with information related to this incident or the identity of the four individuals is asked to contact CPD Detective Julie English at 770-385-2148. 

“This is a tragic loss of life," Malcom said. "Our prayers go out to the victim’s family. We have developed credible leads in this case and will continue to work these leads until we locate the shooter."