Augusta, GA

2 killed, 4 hurt in shooting at motorcycle club event in Georgia

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2023

2 killed, 4 hurt in shooting at motorcycle club event in Georgia

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT/Gray News) – A weekend shooting left two dead and four others injured Saturday evening stemmed from a dispute between two motorcycle clubs, Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree said in a news conference on Monday.

Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen identified those who died as Keith Coates, 30, of Valdosta, and Germayne Farrell, 51, of Daytona Beach, Florida.

Roundtree said this shooting adds Augusta to the list of over 280 mass shootings seen so far in 2023.

“Gun violence has risen nationwide this year, and sadly, Augusta is not exempt,” said Roundtree.

Left to right, top to bottom: 31-year-old James Bryant, 39-year-old Freddie Crosson, 38-year-old Tyson Harper, 26-year-old McKayla Rickett, 44-year-old Larry Ross, 30-year-old Cory Sapp, 30-year-old Jessica Sapp, 42-year-old Larry Sutton, 43-year-old Kenneth Taylor, 28-year-old Matthew Willis are all suspects in a deadly mass shooting that happened in Augusta, Georgia, Saturday night.(Contributed)

The shooting occurred at the clubhouse of the Outcast Motorcycle Club and involved members of that club and the rival Thug Riders.

Roundtree says 10 suspects were arrested and charged with two counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault. Three are still receiving treatment, including Deja Dotson and Jonathan Keaton, who have arrest warrants issued. Only one suspect has a local address.

Roundtree says the city hosted the Augusta Air Show and Mayfest, and several Thug Rider members attended before traveling to the Outcast clubhouse.

“We didn’t know that trouble was coming to our city. We didn’t know that trouble was already in our city,” he said.

The suspects range in age from 44 to 26, and hailed from Georgia, North Carolina and Florida. Four suspects were a part of the Outcast Motorcycle Club, and eight were Thug Riders.

Roundtree confirmed a fire vehicle ran over a dead body on the scene. He said fire personnel did not see the person, and the agency has a traffic report that is not yet available for release.

“To bring this type of violence to our city, to add us to a national mass shooting list is unconscionable. This is something we will not tolerate here in Richmond County. That is why each individual who is involved or we feel to be involved or has any part in this will face charges,” he said.

He says there was no lack of police presence in the city. Roundtree said they had more deputies on the roads because they were leaving two events.

At least 20 officers were on the scene, and he said you could hear gunfire from a few blocks away.

“While this incident of violence is horrific, and many of the other tragic incidents that have occurred in this country and will still occur … my light will continue to push forward in the confidence that I have in the men and women of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Richmond County,” said Roundtree.

Investigators found more than 150 shell casings on the scene. Roundtree says this was an “extremely large scene,” and kids were playing outside in a neighborhood right down the street.

“With 150 rounds, I’m sure it was more than two individuals,” he said.

Officials said they believe people from Florida traveled three to four hours to engage in the targeted attack. They believe it stemmed from a recent incident that started in Florida, but additional information on that wasn’t released.

In response to the shooting, regional affiliates with the clubs were mobilizing to retaliate again in Augusta, Roundtree said. The sheriff’s office briefed Mayor Garnett Johnson and other city officials about the potential threat of another major shooting. The sheriff says there’s still an ongoing threat, but they’re prepared.

“We continue to monitor this situation in real-time, and we will advise the public of any confirmed threat if they develop,” said Roundtree.

He said 13 motorcycles were taken into evidence, along with one car and 10 firearms. Weapons were found inside the clubhouse, vehicles and nearby businesses from when the suspects fled the scene.

One Richmond County patrol car was also hit in the shooting.

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Augusta, GA

The Major Rager Sets 2025 Lineup: Greensky Bluegrass, Eggy, Easy Honey

Published

1 day ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

The Major Rager Sets 2025 Lineup: Greensky Bluegrass, Eggy, Easy Honey

The Major Rager has announced the artist lineup for its 11th annual event, set to take place in Augusta, GA on April 12th, 2025 during The Masters. The long-running event takes its name from the professional golf tournament with which it coincides—one of four tournaments known collectively as “the majors.”

Jamgrass favorites Greensky Bluegrass will headline the 2025 edition of The Major Rager. The single-day event, produced by Friends With Benefits Productions, will also feature performances by ever-rising jam quartet Eggy and Charleston, SC-native rock outfit Easy Honey. Tickets for The Major Rager 2025 are now on sale here.

On Tour With Eggy: Waiting Game [Feature]

Greensky Bluegrass’ Major Rager headlining slow will follow an extensive run of early-2025 headlining tour dates across the country. Find a full list of upcoming Greensky Bluegrass tour dates here. Eggy, still riding the momentum of the band’s long-awaited sophomore album, 2024’s Waiting Game, will arrive in Augusta on April 12th fresh off a run of spring festival appearances at Live Oak, FL’s Suwannee Amp Jam #1, Phoenix, AZ’s M3F, Miramar Beach, FL’s My Morning Jacket-hosted One Big Holiday, and Atlanta, GA’s Mental Awakening Festival. Find a full list of upcoming Eggy tour dates here. For Easy Honey, the Major Rager marks the first announced date on the band’s 2025 tour schedule. Find a full list of upcoming Easy Honey tour dates here.

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Augusta, GA

34-year-old and 32-year-old ID’d in related Augusta fatal shootings

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

34-year-old and 32-year-old ID’d in related Augusta fatal shootings

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Coroner has identified two victims after two related shooting incidents in Augusta, we learned on Friday.

The Richmond County Coroner’s Office responded to Wellstar/MCG about a shooting death.

Jeremy Dontavious McGahee, 34, of Augsuta was transported to Wellstar/MCG by EMS from the 2100 block of C Street with at least one gunshot wound, Coroner Mark Bowen said.

He was pronounced dead at 8:28 p.m., Bowen says. An autopsy has been scheduled.

The Coroner’s Office also responded to the 2100 block of C Street about a possible suicide.

Zyquan Jamarcus Franklin, 32, of Augusta, was found inside a residence with at least one gunshot wound and pronounced dead on the scene at 12:15 a.m. Bowen said. An autopsy has been scheduled.

Bowen says these cases are connected and in the early stages of investigation. Once the next of kin has been notified, the victim’s identification will be released.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to C Street around 9:34 p.m. about shots fired with two people down.

Deputies say upon arrival, they located one male and one female subject who had been shot at least one time.

Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment, where the male victim succumbed to his injuries.

The sheriff’s office says investigators are still on scene as of 11 p.m.

Also on Thursday, 50-year-old Chavious Kimmerlin was shot dead in his home on Highland Avenue.

The shooting comes amid a two-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 180 lives across the CSRA.

Cities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River. But as the largest community in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.

Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.

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Augusta, GA

1 dead, another injured in shooting on C Street in Augusta

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has died and another has been injured after a shooting on the 2100 block of C Street on Thursday night.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to C Street around 9:34 p.m. in reference to shots fired with two people down.

Deputies says upon arrival, they located one male and one female subject had been shot at least one time.

Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment, where the male victim succumbed to his injuries.

The sheriff’s office says investigators are still on scene as of 11 p.m.

Also on Thursday, 50-year-old Chavious Kimmerlin was shot dead in his home on Highland Avenue.

The shooting comes amid a two-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 180 lives across the CSRA.

Cities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River. But as the largest community in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.

Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.

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