Augusta Commission puts Suz Lounge on 6 months of probation

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – At the urging of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the Augusta Commission on Tuesday approved six months of probation for a local bar.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office submitted a request for Suz Lounge on Deans Bridge Road to be put on probation for multiple licenses.

In a letter from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies describe an incident at 4:30 a.m. May 12 when a female patron rammed cars, shots were fired and eventually someone was killed.

The commission approved probation for owner Samantha Moses’ business, dance and alcohol licenses.

“I just ask that probation be granted and to give me an opportunity to fix the problem,” said Moses.

A make shift boxing ring, slamming into cars and a deadly shootout. It all happened the same night of May 12, detailed in a letter from the sheriff’s office recommending action.

Detective Ortiz with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office weighed in, “Shooting happened at 4 o’clock in the morning, club was letting out at 4 o’clock in the morning, they should’ve been closed well past that. There was gambling inside the club, and we got that from their own footage.”

The business owner says she wants a second chance.

Mayor Garnett Johnson agreed saying, “She’s the one who gladly recommended the six-month probation, so I applauded her for that effort for taking ownership of it.”

But the conversation turned to monitoring the outside of businesses like Suz Lounge.

Since 2018, deputies have nine incident reports on file for this address, mainly having to do with car break-ins or theft in the parking lot.

District 1 Commissioner Jordan Johnson said, “You have places like the Get-N-Go on Wrightsboro Road, just had a couple of killings there, you have the pack-n-go on Olive Road where they sell drugs and have shootouts outside.”

While the sheriff’s office says monitoring the outside is tricky, Suz Lounge now has an extra set of eyes on them.

Owner Samantha Moses finished, “I made the mistake of letting someone, me not being there all the time because I have a full-time job, and trusting someone to do my business for me. I’m in the process of rectifying all of those problems at this moment.”

News 12 tried to reach out to the owner and Detective Ortiz to find out who was in charge of the bar the night of the shooting and whether they’re still employed or facing any charges, but both had no comment.

If the probation is broken, the licenses will be taken away.

The probation was among many things on a busy agenda during Tuesday’s meeting, which started later than usual because of a visit to the city by first lady Jill Biden. Mayor Garnett Johnson was one of her hosts as she visited Augusta Technical College.

In other business

• The commission also approved a number of electronic security enhancements downtown to help detect crime and catch criminals. They include about 15 surveillance cameras at various locations, as well as five microphones. The microphones will help detect gunshots.
• The commission approved a concept plan for Big Oak Park and continue with the preliminary and final design process.
• Leaders approved a memorandum of understanding for a partnership with Augusta and CSRA Habitat for Humanity for three years to build three to five homes.
• The commission approved funding of $50,000 over five years for the Junior Achievement Discovery Center to be shared by the Richmond County and Columbia County school districts.

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