Augusta, GA
Augustan convicted of beating mom’s 61-year-old boyfriend to death
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A suspect has been convicted of beating an older man to death and leaving him to die in 2019, according to District Attorney Jared Williams.
The defendant, Andrez Kirkland, 38, of Augusta, was convicted by a jury of his peers this week after a trial that began March 4 and ended late Monday.
The victim, Gary Stringer, 61, of Augusta, was dating the defendant’s mother and allowed the defendant to move in with him a few months earlier.
The victim had gone out to celebrate his birthday on Jan. 19, 2019.
He returned to his home, an argument ensued, and he told the defendant and his family to leave.
Instead, the defendant viciously beat the victim, shattering his jaw, knocking teeth loose, fracturing his skull and causing massive internal bleeding, according to prosecutors.
The defendant and his family tried to cover up this murder, telling police and even the victim’s family that this occurred during a break-in, according to Williams.
While Richmond County investigators interviewed the defendant, they noticed he had swelling and cuts to his hands, consistent with having punched something repeatedly. That led them to suspect him.
Most witnesses in the case were related to the defendant, many of whom changed their statements from the time of the incident to trial, according to Williams.
The case hinged upon the testimony of the defendant’s son, a child who was 5 years old at the time.
The child, now 10, admitted to being coached by his family to change his story at trial to “say the words that would set my daddy free.”
“The jury was able to see the truth through the lies, and found the verdict that spoke justice for the victim and his family,” Williams said in a statement.
Essential to uncovering the truth was the surveillance video from across the street, where a neighbor’s cameras recorded all the comings and goings in the aftermath of the killing.
After prosecutors gave closing arguments, the jury found the defendant guilty of malice murder and felony murder.
Kirkland was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
“Gary Stringer turned 61 just a few hours before his death,” Assistant District Attorney Keagan Waystack said after the trial. “What a terrible birthday present: a brutal beating by a coward half his age.”
Williams said:
“I am grateful for this jury who represented our community so well in its dedication in finding the truth.”
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University volleyball has announced its 2026 schedule, featuring 30 regular-season matches and 10 home contests inside Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The reigning 2025 Peach Belt Conference regular-season champions open the season Aug. 28-29 at the Emmanuel Tournament in Franklin Springs, Ga., before returning home Sept. 4-5 to co-host the Augusta/USC Aiken Tournament. Augusta then travels to Clinton, Miss., for the annual Peach Belt Conference/Gulf South Conference Crossover before opening Peach Belt Conference play Sept. 17 against Middle Georgia at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
Following an eight-match road swing through late September and October, the Jaguars return home for their final four regular-season contests, hosting Francis Marion, Flagler and rival USC Aiken. The 2026 Peach Belt Conference Tournament begins Nov. 12.
Tickets are available now. Don’t miss your chance to watch the reigning Peach Belt Conference regular-season champions in action at Christenberry Fieldhouse this fall.
BUY TICKETS
In conjunction with the schedule release, Augusta Athletics has also announced its promotional schedule for the 2026 home season.
2026 Promotional Schedule
Friday, Sept. 4 – vs. Lee (12:00 p.m.) & North Greenville (5:00 p.m.)
Parents Weekend
Join us as we welcome Jaguar families to campus for opening weekend.
Thursday, Sept. 17 – vs. Middle Georgia (6:00 p.m.)
Student Appreciation
Augusta University students are encouraged to pack Christenberry Fieldhouse for the conference home opener.
Saturday, Sept. 19 – vs. Georgia College (3:00 p.m.)
CSRA Club Volleyball Day
Local club volleyball teams are invited to attend and be recognized throughout the match.
Tuesday, Sept. 22 – vs. Lander (6:00 p.m.)
Coats & Scrubs Night
Medical students and healthcare professionals are invited to wear their scrubs and support the Jaguars.
Tuesday, Oct. 20 – vs. Francis Marion (6:00 p.m.)
Here to Win – Cancer Awareness Game
Augusta Athletics and the Georgia Cancer Center continue the “Here to Win” campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and support patients. Fans are encouraged to wear pink.
Friday, Oct. 23 – vs. Flagler (6:00 p.m.)
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night
A special night recognizing Augusta University’s faculty and staff.
Saturday, Oct. 24 – vs. Flagler (1:00 p.m.)
Halloween Game
Fans are encouraged to wear costumes while cheering on the Jaguars.
Friday, Nov. 6 – vs. USC Aiken (6:00 p.m.)
Greek Night
Augusta University’s fraternities and sororities are invited to attend and show their Jaguar pride.
Saturday, Nov. 7 – vs. USC Aiken (3:00 p.m.)
Senior Night
Help us recognize the Jaguars’ senior class before the final regular-season home match.
AUGUSTA, GA. — Cushman & Wakefield has brokered the $87 million sale of Mason Augusta, a 462-unit apartment community located at 101 Pine Forest Road in Augusta. Taylor Bird, Robert Stickel, Alex Brown, Nelson Abels and Laura Aylor of Cushman & Wakefield’s Sunbelt Multifamily Advisory Group represented the seller, Waypoint Residential, in the transaction. The buyer was Southwood Realty Co.
Mason Augusta was developed in two phases in 2022 and 2024 and was 95 percent occupied at the time of sale. The property includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 685 to 1,321 square feet, as well as a fitness center with yoga and spin studio, resort-style pools with sundecks and tanning ledges, clubhouse with e-lounge and coffee bar, game room, business center and a dining and lounge terrace with outdoor fireplace.
Other amenities at Mason Augusta include an automated parcel system, dog park and indoor pet spa, garages and outdoor gathering spaces with grilling kitchens and fire pits.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Fire Department responded to a fire on the 200 block of Boy Scout Road Sunday afternoon, officials say.
Officials on the scene said they are no reported injuries and that there were six buildings impacted by the fire.
According to our crews, the buildings look to be a part of the Ventana Townhomes.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office shut down portions of Boy Scout Road between Skinner Mill Road and Commons Boulevard while crews battled the fire.
Dispatchers said they started receiving calls about the fire around 2:34 p.m.
We are working to learn the cause.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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