Augusta, GA
34-year-old dies days after shooting on Madrid Drive in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One man has died and another is in jail after a shooting nearly a week ago in Augusta.
Brandon Johnson, 34, was shot at least once in his home in the 3600 block of Madrid Drive on Sunday and taken to Doctors Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. Friday.
Another resident of the home, Mark Johnson, 30, has been arrested and charged in the shooting, which happened around 7 a.m. Sunday.
After the shooting was reported Sunday morning, deputies say they found Mark Johnson in the backyard of the home as he was leaving the house.
Deputies found the victim with a gunshot wound in the hallway of the home.
Deputies say a witness was kneeling over the victim and holding a towel on the victim’s chest.
The witness told deputies Mark Johnson shot the victim in the chest due to an argument, according to an incident report.
The witness told deputies the victim was intoxicated and had been turning multiple switches on and off in the home. Mark Johnson became upset and confronted the victim while he was in the hallway, according to deputies’ report.
The witness stated she was sitting in the living room when she heard a loud noise and saw the victim fall to the floor, deputies say.
Mark Johnson was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during a crime, according to jail reports.
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The charges had not been upgraded as of early Saturday.
An autopsy has been scheduled for the victim.
Despite the victim and suspect having the same last name, deputies classified the incident as “aggravated assault-nonfamily.”
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students
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
10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat
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
Augusta Dream Center sees surge in families needing food as summer begins
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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