Augusta, GA

Augusta Mall shooting sends fear, anger through shoppers

Published

3 days ago

July 5, 2024

Augusta Mall shooting sends fear, anger through shoppers

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A shooting sent people scrambling out the doors of the Augusta Mall on Thursday afternoon.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to the scene of shots fired with one person down at the Augusta Mall.

Dispatch says the first call came in at 3:38 p.m. to 3450 Wrightsboro Road on the Fourth of July.

Upon arrival, deputies located one male who had been shot at least once.

The man was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to officials.

On scene, News 12 saw floods of people running out of the mall and a lot of frustration from shoppers looking for holiday deals.

It’s a situation many say is unforgettable, but unfortunately not surprising.

Rochelle Giet says what seemed to be a typical Fourth of July at the mall quickly turned south.

“I saw people running and screaming already. There are a lot of people running, going to the food court screaming,” said Giet.

Giet says she and 20 other people in Victoria’s Secret had to hide in a storage closet for more than 40 minutes.

She says that moment was an unfortunate wake-up call for her.

“I cannot imagine that. Fourth of July. You want to go somewhere because there’s a lot of sales stuff like that. And you are not safe anymore,” said Giet.

This incident is a similar situation that happened back in April with shots fired and a fatal shooting at the mall in 2020.

Giet says she wishes she doesn’t have to be on high alert while shopping but she has no choice.

“It’s always taped to my mind. It comes to my mind or maybe there is a shooting here again and again,” she said.

It’s a feeling Giet says she hopes more people pay attention to in the future.

“I hope that the security personnel there will be more tightened for their security and especially for keeping the people going inside the mall,” said Giet.

News 12 started receiving calls about the incident around 3:45 p.m.

Central EMS and the Augusta Fire Department also responded to the scene.

Around 4:10 p.m., several people were seen leaving the mall. Deputies were seen getting brown evidence bags out of their patrol cars.

“It all happened so fast and quickly as I was headed towards Dick’s Sporting Goods,” said a woman who was on scene. “What got me was that they didn’t even evacuate until like 30 to 45 minutes later. Only could imagine how many people did or could have gotten hurt.”

A store manager tells us that several of her employees heard the gunshots. She said she has a plan in place for when incidents like this happen.

She says her store is losing employees over these situations that seem to happen more frequently at the mall.

Officials did not release any information regarding possible suspects.

Team coverage by News 12 staff members including Lois White, Destiny Bernash, William Rioux, Brionna Law, Julius Evans, Gary Pikula, Richard Rogers, Riley Hale and Sarah Lusk.

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Augusta, GA

Tragedy Strikes: Augusta Apartments Ravaged by Late Night Fire

Published

1 hour ago

July 7, 2024

Press Room

Tragedy Strikes: Augusta Apartments Ravaged by Late Night Fire

Late Wednesday night, tragedy struck the Nine Two Six West Apartments in Augusta as a devastating fire tore through an apartment building, leaving multiple families displaced and in shock.

The incident, which unfolded shortly before 11 PM, drew a massive response from local police and the fire department, with reports indicating a scene engulfed in flames and thick smoke.

Residents like Vanessa Holden recounted her disbelief as she came back home that night. “I came out here and all I could do was just watch everything go to pieces,” Holden, highlighted the emotional toll and financial strain now facing her and others affected.

Eyewitness Alexis Johnson described the chaotic scene as emergency vehicles arrived at the complex. “We saw like maybe 20 to 30 emergency vehicles. It was just completely ablaze. Smoke was everywhere… It was hard to breathe,” Alexis recalled, painting a vivid picture of the intense firefighting efforts amidst the holiday backdrop.

Authorities received an initial call reporting sounds of fireworks hours before the fire broke out, prompting speculation about a possible connection.

Two emails sent to residents underscored the seriousness of the situation, one notifying them of heightened emergency presence and another reiterating the strict prohibition of fireworks on the property.

The fire ravaged a total of 16 units. Vanessa Holden, one of the unfortunate residents affected, expressed gratitude for the support of organizations like the Red Cross and the property management team.

“Financial assistance about 300 and up… The property manager told me that they would get back to me since I have renter’s insurance.” Vanessa shared, highlighting the financial uncertainties compounded by the loss.

While Vanessa’s apartment was damaged, Alexis Johnson expressed solidarity with her less fortunate neighbors. “It’s devastating… a lot of people lost their homes and a lot of their belongings,” Alexis empathized.

One injury was reported as a resident escaped from their balcony during the chaos.

However, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined as investigations continue.

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Augusta, GA

Boy loses legs in Ga. train accident; ‘outlook is not highly positive’

Published

8 hours ago

July 7, 2024

Press Room

Boy loses legs in Ga. train accident; ‘outlook is not highly positive’

ROME, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A juvenile lost both of his legs in a train accident early Friday morning, according to the Rome Police Department.

Around 3:30 a.m., police were called to the railroad crossing at East Callahan Street, where they found the juvenile unconscious.

He had been hit by a train, amputating both legs.

Officers gave the juvenile medical help until emergency services arrived.

He was taken to the Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, where he is still alive — “although the outlook is not highly positive,” police said.

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Augusta, GA

Authorities searching for suspect in Augusta murder

Published

16 hours ago

July 7, 2024

Press Room

Authorities searching for suspect in Augusta murder

BOLO WANTED PERSON WALTERS

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) –
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 18-year-old Kieran Darnell Walters.

Walters is wanted for murder in reference to a deadly shooting that took place on Friday, July 5 on the 2600 Block of Peach Orchard Road.

Coroner Mark Bowen confirms the victim, 16-year-old Sadiq Brown of Wrens, was shot at least one time. Brown was taken to Piedmont Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:34 p.m.

At 10:55 p.m., deputies responded to a local hospital about a male subject who had been shot.

Upon arrival, they were informed the male subject had been transported by car to the hospital with at least one gun shot wound. The male subject was later pronounced dead.

Authorities say Walters is known to frequent the Harrisburg Neighborhood.

Walters is considered armed and dangerous.

If you have any information concerning the subject, you are urged to contact Inv. Tyler Steerman or any Violent Crimes Investigator with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (706) 821-1026 or (706) 821-1020.

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