Augusta, GA
‘Took a piece of me’: Family remembers 15-year-old killed in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One of Augusta’s latest victims of gun violence was 15-year-old Devayn Grissam.
Authorities say he was shot around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday on Helsinki Drive. He was taken to the hospital where he later died.
On Friday, Devayn’s family continues to search for a way forward as information surrounding potential suspects is limited.
“He took a piece of me. Yes, definitely. He took a piece of me, and I don’t know if I heal from it, you know,” said Telisha Grissam, Devayn’s aunt.
We sat down with Devayn’s family to see how they’re honoring his life.
Moving forward without Devayn is going to be rough for his family.
They are already thinking about how different the holiday season will be without him.
But Devayn’s family wanted to speak to us to share his story and their message to the community to put the guns down.
It’s a life cut too soon.
“We’re never going to get that. They’ll be able to see their kids grow, but we’ll never be able to see him grow and progress and what could have been so he will forever be 15 years old,” said Telisha.
Devayn loved his family, and his family loved him.
“If I knew, this would be the last time with me seeing him, I would have hugged him a little tighter. I would have talked to him a little longer. You never know when it’s the last time that you’re going to lose someone you never know. And to lose a child to gun violence is hard,” said Telisha.
The day Devayn died, his aunt says, “I remember almost falling to the floor at Walmart in North Augusta when I found out that he was killed.”
His family wants you to hear their heart-breaking plea.
“The graveyards are filling up with our children. They’re not having a chance at life, not even experience life to see what life is about. At 15 years old, you don’t know what life is about,” said Telisha.
Devayn’s family doesn’t want another family to feel their unbearable pain.
“Right now, what they have done is put this family up on a lot of stress, because now we got to worry about how we are going to bury this 15-year-old kid because this is so unexpected,” said Telisha.
Together, his family chooses to remember Devayn for the life he lived.
“He loved to play basketball. He loved to do flips like gymnastics. He was flipping all the time. He was a practical joker. Every time you see him, he always jokes about having fun,” said his aunt.
In their eyes, he is 15 forever.
“I speak on behalf of his father, his mother, his grandmother. I speak on behalf of my family. This is some pain that we’re going to endure for the rest of our lives,” said Telisha.
So far, no arrests have been made in Devayn’s death.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has died after a shooting on Cameron Drive in Augusta early Friday morning.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 25-year-old Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.
Richmond County deputies responded to the 3600 block of Cameron Drive around 1:11 a.m. for a suspicious situation.
While on scene, deputies spoke to the complainant who stated they got a call form an unknown person saying their friend was dead at the incident location.
Deputies then searched the area, where they found Rodriguez on the ground unresponsive with several gun shot wounds to the stomach area.
The coroner’s office says Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m. An autopsy has been scheduled.
As of 4:15 a.m., at least one deputy and crime scene crews were still on scene.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Four individuals from Augusta have been indicted by a federal Grand Jury on federal drug trafficking charges, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Southern District of Georgia announced Thursday.
The following individuals were indicted:
(Indictments contain charges, and defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.)
- Tyriquez McFadden, 39, and Nichael Lessey, 44, both of Augusta, charged in a five-count indictment with Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of Crack Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Roman Kelly, 51, of Augusta, indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.
These charges carry statutory penalties up to life in prison, substantial financial penalties and a period of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.
Drought-fueled wildfires burn across Georgia, Florida
Wildfires in Georgia and Florida have forced evacuations, road closures and burn bans as the drought-fueled fires burn thousands of acres.
Two large wildfires burning in south Georgia were now 90% contained, as of Wednesday, after consuming about 54,000 acres, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
The Pineland Road Fire has burned 32,575 acres. The Highway 82 Fire has burned 22,420 acres.
However, fuel conditions remain extremely dry, officials said. Containment continues to improve on both fires, but crews remain actively engaged in patrol, suppression, and mop-up operations.
Seth Hawkins, urban and community forestry program coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission, worked on the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, which is still about 22,000 acres. Suppression costs are estimated to exceed $18.3 million.
“The rain put out the active flame on that fire,” Hawkins said. “However, there’s still that deep layer, that organic material, burning, and hot spots can still flare up as soon as humidity drops.”
Hawkins said 166 people are still working hot spots on the Highway 82 fire, setting up sprinkler systems where needed.
As of May 12, the State Forester burn ban has been lifted, but the Environmental Protection Division’s summer burn ban remains in place. Many counties may still have local ordinances. Georgia residents are encouraged to check with their county before burning.
The state remains in an extreme drought.
“It’s just unique down there because of all that organic fuel,” Hawkins said. “And when it dries out, it’s very susceptible to ignition. It’s going to be a long, hot, dry summer. We’re telling folks to keep their guard up and be safe with campfires and debris burning.”
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
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