Augusta, GA

Augusta Mall shooting sends fear, anger through shoppers

Published

2 years 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

Augusta Fire to showcase progress on new Fire Station #3 construction

Published

3 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Fire to showcase progress on new Fire Station #3 construction

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Fire is showcasing progress on its new Fire Station #3 construction site Monday with a public tour of the facility.

The tour is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon at the construction site at 2075 Powell Road.

The approximately 12,500-square-foot facility will feature three apparatus bays, modern living quarters, administrative space and support areas designed to enhance firefighter readiness and emergency response.

“The progress we’ve made on this fire station reflects our commitment to public safety and community resilience,” said Fire Chief Antonio Burden. “We’re proud of what this station represents for our community: enhanced protection, improved readiness and continued investment in the future.”

Johnson Laschober Associates designed the station. Spratlin Construction is building it in coordination with the Augusta government and the Augusta Fire Department leadership.

Representatives from Spratlin Construction will also be on-site to provide project updates.

The only entrance to the site is on Powell Road. Parking is not permitted on the construction site. Visitors should park along Powell Road and follow all posted safety guidance.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

15 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

1 day ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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