Augusta, GA
1 arrested, 2 wanted in Martinez shooting
MARTINEZ, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The alleged shooter connected to a shooting that occurred on Wednesday afternoon, which resulted in one person being hospitalized and led to lockdowns at three schools, has been arrested.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says that 18-year-old Davonte Taylor, of Evans, was taken into custody on Wednesday around 10:00 p.m. at an apartment complex off Skinner Mill Road.
According to authorities, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office was working in coordination with information provided by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and spotted Taylor in the parking lot of the apartment complex.
“We are glad we were able to assist Sheriff Clay Whittle and our partners with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, who continually assist us as well. We truly appreciate and value this strong working relationship as we work together to keep the entire CSRA safe,” said Sheriff Eugene Brantley.
Officials say Taylor is a student at Lakeside High.
The victim in the shooting is in critical condition, officials say.
The shooting occurred near the Blueridge Commons Apartments on the 500 block of Commons Drive, according to authorities, which is directly behind Blue Ridge.
News 12 spoke to neighbors, including Nicholas Koenig, who rushed home to check on his pets after hearing about the shooting outside his apartment.
“My neighbor, who lives right over here, had texted me pictures of out by the road of all the cop cars in front of our apartment. And I was like, I need to go check on my pets because I have two pets,” Koenig said.
He says this isn’t something that he’d expect in his neighborhood, right next to the three schools.
“It’s nerve-wracking because you kind of get in that perspective wherever you are in life, that it’s a safe spot, nothing’s going to happen around you. And then it’s all of a sudden things happen that you can’t control,” he said.
The sheriff’s office is also searching for two other black male suspects in that area, with at least one wearing a grey hoodie.
According to a letter from the superintendent, all of Wednesday’s after-school activities were cancelled.
The sheriff’s office initially responded to reports of a possible shooting near the 4000 block of Riverwatch Parkway on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after 3 p.m.
The scene was starting to clear around 5:45 p.m.
“We want to reassure you that school will be in regular session tomorrow, and as always, student safety will remain paramount in every decision we make. We appreciate your partnership and trust as we work together to keep our school community safe,” Principal Juliet King said in a letter to families Wednesday evening.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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