41-year-old man arrested in S.C. in Augusta woman’s death

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 41-year-old man was arrested in connection to a 53-year-old woman’s death in Augusta.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says Samuel Howell was arrested on Wednesday in Summerville, S.C.

Howell was charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

The Richmond County Coroner’s Office said Monique Hawes, 53, lived on the 3600 block of Madrid Drive.

On August 17, Hawes was found with at least one gunshot wound, lying in the 200 block of Dan Bowles Road, according to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office.

She was pronounced dead at 2:45 a.m., according to the coroner’s office.

The case is being investigated as a homicide, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

Howell is currently booked in the Dorchester County Detention Center, and has a bond set for $100,000.

The shooting comes amid an outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 170 lives in a little over two 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.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.