AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The victims of a double homicide early Wednesday morning have been identified, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

Bowen has identified the victims as William Horne, 49, and Carol Horne, 52.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says around 2:37 a.m., they responded to a home in e 3000 block of Mystic Lane about a shooting.

Officials say Tony Horne, 46, of Augusta, was arrested at the scene of the crime.

Bowen says William and Carol were shot at least one time inside their home. Both were pronounced dead on the scene at 3:20 a.m.

A neighbor told us the victims and the suspect were related.

Another neighbor we spoke with told us they were shaken up by the incident saying: ” I was just over there yesterday and they were fine. I’m really going to miss my friend.”

Tony was booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, according to officials.

An autopsy has been scheduled.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta’s next city budget is pushing $1.4 billion. On Tuesday, commissioners approved the budget, but it comes with cuts.

Public safety is the main concern because that of course impacts everyone.

Commissioners have heard from the district attorney’s office, sheriff’s office and public defender’s office all asking for more money.

The administrator’s recommendation of taking $1 million from the general fund passed on Tuesday and the money from that will go to the district attorney’s office, essentially saving them $1 million.

“It allows us to be competitive across the state and hire the best lawyers and professional staff to help reduce the population of the jail to help make sure that people get their day in court and to also make sure that victims are protected at every level,” said Jared Williams, district attorney.

The sheriff’s office had also gone in front of the commission asking for more money.

They asked for $3 million but didn’t get any of that.

This will be the first year without American Rescue Funds, so they’re looking at an $8 million hole.

The commission has figured out $1 million out of that $8 million as mentioned.

As for the remaining money, they’re still figuring it out.

The commissioners did explore cuts to several groups like the land bank and canal authority, but that did not pass.

The budget becomes official on Jan.1.

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STAPLETON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Three victims drove themselves to the hospital after an argument at a party turned into a shooting between two groups near Stapleton, authorities told us on Tuesday.

On Friday night, at approximately 10:30 p.m., authorities say the Jefferson County 911 Center received a call concerning gunshots being fired in the 2000 block of Pughsley Road near Stapleton.

Responding deputies say they arrived in the area and found no activity. Several minutes later, the 911 Center received a call that three gunshot victims were in route to an Augusta area hospital by private vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies again responded to the area and located a home where a birthday party was held earlier, deputies said. A preliminary investigation revealed that one group of individuals began arguing with another group of individuals and gunfire erupted as the two groups began to leave the area.

Three occupants of one car were hit by gunfire and drove themselves to the hospital, according to authorities.

Two of those victims were treated and released early Saturday morning, authorities say, the third victim remains in the hospital in stable condition.

No suspect have been arrested at this time, Capt. Robert Chalker tells us.

Anyone with relevant information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division at 478-625-7538.

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