Augusta, GA
A deeper look into Augusta shooting suspect’s criminal record
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – In broad daylight, without warning, a Richmond County mother says a stranger shot her at her home on Sunday.
An incident report says that a stranger, who authorities identified as Deon Hamilton, had come by earlier asking about drugs. Videos caught on the home camera show him leaving her home earlier in the day.
The report said the mother and her husband said they told Hamilton they had none and told him to leave the property. Then she says Hamilton came back shortly after and started shooting.
Jail bookings show law enforcement added a simple battery charge on to his other charges from Sunday’s arrest.
Doctors are unsure if the victim will walk again, but they are sure of one thing.
“I’m being told that I do need to prepare myself that my life will not be the same as it was,” said the mother.
It’s leaving her with unanswered questions.
“My whole thing is like, why would you do that? What was the purpose of that,” she asked.
Hamilton may be a stranger to Sunday’s victims, but court records reveal he is no stranger to violence.
Court documents show a string of crimes that date back a decade from burglary to aggravated assault.
News 12 found more than nine misdemeanors and three felonies, all starting in 2010.
The severity of his crimes escalates.
In April 2016, he pleaded guilty to simple battery after punching a man in the face twice.
Two years later, in 2018, he pleaded guilty again to simple battery after reports say he hit his roommate in the head with a blunt object.
A month later that same year, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after he hit a woman in the face with a handgun. He was also charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was sentenced to 15 years. He only served four behind bars and the rest on parole. So, he should be on parole until 2033.
But in July of this year, documents show he picked up another simple battery charge after hitting his girlfriend in the face with an open hand. Just months before a victim would find a bullet in her back.
The case is still open, but we are working to find out the answers.
The mother tells us she is still recovering and Hamilton remains behind bars on Friday night.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Tree giveaway helps Augusta get back to normal after Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been more than 100 days since Hurricane Helene came through our area.
Now, those in the CSRA are still cleaning up the aftermath.
On Saturday, Rooting for Augusta helped the area get back to normal.
“Every once in a while, we have a horrific event that unites us all, and we certainly had it with the storm. Everybody can agree that it’s a good thing to plant trees back in the right spots,” said Dennis Trotter with Rooting for Augusta.
Rooting for Augusta gave away 700 trees as part of the event.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.
It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.
Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.
“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.
Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.
He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.
Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.
The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.
We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.
“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.
If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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