2 slain in separate overnight shootings in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two people died overnight in Richmond County in unrelated shootings – Augusta’s second and third homicides since Hurricane Helene struck the city a little over a week ago.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to the parking lot of El Presidente, located at 2 Eighth Street, in reference to a shooting at 7:54 p.m.

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

The victim succumbed to his injuries.

Arthur Braxton, 32, of Aiken, was pronounced dead at 8:45 p.m. on the scene, according to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office.

Deputies say a subject has been detained.

The second shooting happened at Oakview Place Apartments.

At 3:03 a.m. Saturday, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting at the 3500 block of Oakview Place.

Stephon Jones, 22, who lives at the complex, was shot at least once.

Jones was pronounced dead at 4:10 a.m. Saturday.

The two shootings are unrelated, according to the Richmond Coroner’s Office.

Autopsies have been scheduled for both victims.

The shootings are Augusta’s second and third homicides since Helene.

Last Saturday, a male victim was fatally shot in the chest at 10th and Florence streets.

The shootings come amid an outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 180 lives in two and a half years across the CSRA.

The crime outbreak has affected communities large and small, but as the biggest city in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.

Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.

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