Augusta, GA
1 arrested after brief altercation turns into shooting in Augusta
![1 arrested after brief altercation turns into shooting in Augusta 1 arrested after brief altercation turns into shooting in Augusta](https://gray-wrdw-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BJF4S3G5INEZRHX43B7L44QEIE.jpeg?auth=71e9d7604ac3ea7cfadc971f298ed0bdf2b687634c9c1b4724c014d94090ef67&width=1200&height=600&smart=false&focal=1282%2C747)
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man has been arrested after a brief altercation turned into a shooting and chase on Whitney Court, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.
On Aug. 7, around 4:31 p.m. deputies responded to Whitney Court in reference to an aggravated assault.
When deputies arrived they say they met with Christopher Miller, 43, who told them he shot back at the suspects after they shot at him.
Miller was detained, and then stated he misunderstood and did not return fire, deputies say.
He then told deputies that there had been someone breaking into cars and causing issues in the neighborhood.
Miller says the possible suspects could be someone who also lives on the street, deputies say.
When the suspect was pulling out of the driveway, Miller told deputies he yelled “What are you looking at?”
Miller walked up to the suspect who then displayed a semi-automatic handgun, according to authorities. Miller says he then returned home.
![Robbie Dihn](https://gray-wrdw-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KUNYSGW6RNEJZEJSUJLFWPFGJQ.jpeg?auth=64e17e4441ab9272c96319ed464d4d223584bd302b2957243400d5d9c8d1f3d8&width=2561&height=1440&smart=true)
Shortly after, Miller told deputies he left to go to the store, but at the end of the block, the suspect was waiting and began shooting at him, according to authorities.
Miller stated he then began chasing the suspect’s vehicle and was attempting to crash the vehicle, deputies say.
After a brief chase, Miller lost sight of the suspect and returned home. He also told deputies he noticed two bullet holes in the front of his vehicle.
Miller was arrested on Aug. 7 and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and four counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, according to jail records.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Augusta, GA
Barely into school year, gun found on an Augusta campus
![Barely into school year, gun found on an Augusta campus Barely into school year, gun found on an Augusta campus](https://gray-wrdw-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T4OINOTZMFB6DMOQ3BZGMQZKVE.jpg?auth=159eee776a1ad7c3e652c57d8a6abbc164da013b89bb9bd43af50b290ae32996&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Just three days into the school year, a gun was found on an Augusta high school student, according to the Richmond County School System.
It comes after a school year when a gun was found on a Richmond County campus nearly every month.
The latest incident happened Friday at Butler High School, according to a letter to parents.
Administrators received a report that a student may have a weapon. Administration and Richmond County School System police conducted a search, and a handgun was found and confiscated, parents were told.
The incident was addressed by school district police and the code of student conduct, according to the letter.
High school students started the school year Tuesday.
![Clever offering free school breakfasts and lunches for children in the community.](https://gray-wrdw-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIYDMCE6ANEV7LV3EE3GXIVDEA.png?auth=692eb79b3b24762d2086a47765fe181934e9b9c66d2aa335fbbe0e15b0771916&width=1920&height=1080&smart=true)
In other incidents in the past week at local schools:
- The McCormick County School District went on lockdown and canceled all after-school activities Monday due to a threat. Students were released early and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division swept the buildings.
- Parents were told that Grovetown Elementary in Columbia County had some first responders at the school Monday, but instruction wasn’t interrupted.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
New program aims to lower kill rates at Augusta Animal Services
![New program aims to lower kill rates at Augusta Animal Services New program aims to lower kill rates at Augusta Animal Services](https://gray-wrdw-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZNJM22CHJFHQDHN6LF7HISDUZI.png?auth=3b09314cdef5b8267adc76a925bc1b10e7cb83de5b4f0c2ab53e450e8c281ce2&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Animal Shelter is hoping to bring down its euthanasia rate.
Last year, state numbers said Augusta Animal Services euthanized almost 1,500 dogs, ranking the worst in the state.
Now, every Monday, the shelter is offering a new program — all pitbull adoptions are free and all adopters also get a free pet bed.
The shelter is also open for an extra two hours.
As of June, Augusta Animal Services has the highest kill rate of any shelter in the state.
On July 17, Director James Hill presented a five-part plan aimed at decreasing those numbers.
‘Save a Pet Monday’ is a part of that plan.
“To have a focus on getting animals out, getting dogs out, getting cats out, and not having to focus have so many resources allocated to taking animals in,” said Hill.
Last week was the first Save a Pet Monday. Hill says the storm put a damper on things.
“We’re hoping to ramp things up. You know, as the weeks go by,” he said.
Other steps include the pet owner’s responsibility when it comes to surrendering animals.
“They have to provide us with at least two forms of documentation showing they have tried other avenues of rescue,” said Hill.
They also encourage microchipping.
If your animal is lost and picked up by the shelter, you can now pay ten dollars to get the animal microchipped rather than the more expensive impound fee.
![Sumter County Sheriff's Office, S.C.](https://gray-wrdw-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JBTIRYM7LBBAJI6SLEQS4U4KYM.jpg?auth=80bcdab0da5bf9e0559d8d3b8c574b93982ff784d0a6ca00ec2132919db0812b&width=1239&height=697&smart=true)
The shelter also plans to partner with Parks and Rec to put out banners out for missing pets.
But Hill says what they need most is help from community vets.
“They’re the critical components that are going to be pivotal in, you know, getting these numbers down, which is going to result in less euthanasia,” he said.
Hill says the community vets are so important because they provide low-cost animal services.
The last step of the shelter’s plan is to mobilize their adoption van.
It’s back in the shop and he doesn’t have an exact date for when it will be ready.
To learn more about how you can adopt, visit the Augusta Animal Services’ website or their Facebook page.
They’re open on Mondays from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. They are closed on Sundays.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
How Augusta woman died before she was found in metro Atlanta
![How Augusta woman died before she was found in metro Atlanta How Augusta woman died before she was found in metro Atlanta](https://gray-wrdw-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6S4L7AK6NVEB3NNO6V7QNLYFHA.jpeg?auth=e81f92879c0227a90e1ad21fda513a0545a421fa6070d73b5c721d0216fec608&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There’s new information now in the death of a missing Augusta woman.
Shekema Toran, 36, was found dead last week in DeKalb County.
And now the medical examiner there says Toran was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police say her body was found in a car in a grocery store parking lot at 2385 Wesley Chapel Road.
Authorities say a suspect has been identified and warrants have been secured, but they are not able to release the names at this time. Officials with the DeKalb Police Department say the case is being investigated by the agency’anecy’s homicide assault unit.
Toran was reported missing Aug. 1 with her boyfriend, Barritz Martin.
When authorities were able to call Martin, they asked to speak with Toran.
They say they heard Martin banging on a seat or dash and saying, “Wake up.”
Martin is still wanted by police for questioning.
Toran’s mother said she disappeared after Toran and her boyfriend of two months, Barritz “Danate” Martin, were at the mother’s home.
After an argument started, Martin left the home after Toran’s mother asked him to leave. He returned two hours later to pick up Toran, according to authorities.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Politics1 week ago
Georgia activist steals the show after being introduced by Trump at Atlanta rally: 'Incredible'
-
News7 days ago
The ‘Blue Walz’: How a low-key Midwestern governor shot to the top to be Harris’ VP pick | CNN Politics
-
Politics1 week ago
Barack Obama's political career kicked off in the Illinois State Senate, evolved into a two-term presidency
-
World1 week ago
Hamas begins consultations to choose Ismail Haniyeh’s successor
-
Politics1 week ago
Mark Kelly posts cryptic message amid Kamala Harris veepstakes speculation
-
World1 week ago
Venezuela launches probe against opposition leaders Gonzalez, Machado
-
Politics1 week ago
Harris VP search comes down to the wire, with Dems divided over Shapiro, Walz, Kelly
-
World1 week ago
Several police officers injured in protests across the UK