Augusta, GA
2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Dog Owner Charged After Woman, 21, Killed by Two Pit Bull-Type Dogs in Augusta, Georgia
After Samara Rogers was killed by dogs, the owner was charged with manslaughter.
Woman Walking Killed by Dogs
Augusta, GA – A 21-year old woman is dead after being attacked by two dogs Wednesday in Augusta. At approximately 10:29 am, Richmond County sheriff’s deputies responded to the 3500 block of Ira Road in reference to a dog attack. Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowden said the victim, Samara Rogers, was walking on Ira Road when the dogs attacked her. Upon arrival, deputies located the severely injured victim. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:05 am, according to Bowden.
WRDW captured footage of an animal control officer and deputy removing the two large dogs from a nearby home with a catch pole. The first was white with a few dark spots and the second was tan with a darker muzzle and a white chest. Both are pit bull-type dogs. The white dog appears similar in size and structure as “Blade,” which killed baby Serenity Garnett in Martinez, a suburb of Augusta, in 2022. The baby’s great-grandmother, Migdelia Guadalupe, was sentenced to six years in prison.
Not long after the dogs were seized from the home on Ira Road, the sheriff’s office arrested Charles David Blackwell, 55, of Augusta, for involuntary manslaughter in connection to Rogers’ death. We believe we located the brown dog on Kimberly Blackwell’s Facebook page, his wife, who is asking for prayers for “Chuck Blackwell,” and “I’m doing everything I can. I love you thick and thin we will get through this.” One commenter asked, “What about the poor girl that was killed by your dogs?”
There are also unconfirmed comments on the Jail Report Facebook page stating that a person was bitten by one of these dogs as recently as yesterday. Typically (if not always), the criminal charge of manslaughter or higher is only filed if the dog(s) were involved in bites or acts of aggression prior to the deadly mauling. Authorities are expected to provide additional information as the investigation progresses. So far, we have not seen any comments from the victim’s family members or friends.
Two pit bull-type dogs being seized from a home on Ira Road after deadly dog mauling.
Samara Rogers, 21-years old, was killed by two dogs on Ira Road in Augusta, Georgia.
Unconfirmed reports of a previous bite by one of the two dogs as recently as yesterday.
Related articles:
04/27/23: 2022 Dog Bite Fatality: 7-Month Old Killed, Great-Grandmother Injured by Muscular…
08/07/20: Teenager Suffers Critical Injuries, Crushed Trachea, in Pit Bull Attack in Barrow County
Law enforcement departments across the United States should release consistent “baseline” information to the media and the public after each fatal dog mauling, including these items.
Augusta, GA
Georgia primary runoff vote totals for Richmond, Columbia counties
It’s Primary Runoff Election Day in Georgia, which includes on the Republican ballot races for governor to replace lame-duck incumbent Brian Kemp, and GOP challengers to upend Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
There are also important local races still to be decided in this runoff held Tuesday, June 16, including for the mayor of Augusta, and seats on the commissions for Richmond and Columbia counties.
Below are race results showing how candidates for those races and other key races are performing. Check back often on Tuesday evening and Wednesday as vote totals are updated.
Voting started at 7 a.m. and concluded at 7 p.m. While some of these races will be decided on Tuesday, many winners of the runoff still must face challengers in the Nov. 3 General Election.
To check on your voting eligibility and polling locations, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voting Page” website at mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Congressional District 12
Governor
Columbia County District 1
Mayor of Augusta
Augusta-Richmond County Commission District 8
Augusta, GA
Augusta University welcomes Brent McMillian as new athletic director
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Brent McMillian, Augusta University’s new director of athletics was officially introduced in front of faculty and staff.
McMillian is a graduate of Greenbrier High School and briefly attended Augusta University.
He brings 13 years of athletics experience and he’s excited to bring his experience to AU.
“There’s been a lot of success here. It’s a tribute to the coaches and the people. My wife and I had the opportunity to come to the Hall of Fame dinner a few weeks ago. Just incredible student athletes and kids that we’ve had on campus.”
“The one thing that I’m excited to help out with is I’ve always been a revenue generator, and I do come from the Division One kind of mid-major side, and we kind of have to hustle at that level. And, you know, it’s kind of somewhat similar challenges, similar to a good Division Two,” said McMillian.
He’s not the only one excited. President Dr. Russel Keen is also excited to have him apart of the Jaguar family.
“I’m really excited about his vision because you can just tell he’s excited. He sees something brighter.”
“And just bringing his skillset to get more of the community involved to engage this campus, our students, our faculty, staff in the athletic programs and the overall increase and enhance the overall student experience for student athletes is something that, you get fired up just talking to him about it. Really excited about what the future holds for Augusta University,” said Dr. Keen.
Photojournalist: Dania Alawir
Augusta, GA
Burst pipe damages multiple floors at downtown Augusta VA Medical Center
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A water leak at the VA Medical Center in downtown Augusta caused extensive damage over the weekend, impacting portions of three floors, according to the facility’s public affairs office.
Officials said the leak happened Friday evening after a pipe burst on campus. All staff and patients in the affected areas were safely relocated.
VA Augusta personnel worked throughout the weekend and are continuing efforts to restore full operations in the impacted parts of the facility, according to the public affairs office.
Patients whose appointments were affected have been contacted to reschedule or coordinate care through a community healthcare partner.
Officials also expressed appreciation for the quick and coordinated response by VA Augusta staff during the incident.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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