Augusta, GA
Augusta Mall shooting: Terrified customers hide in dressing rooms
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies rushed to Augusta Mall after reports of gunshots there.
Dispatchers say the initial report came in at 1:43 p.m. Sunday.
The sheriff’s office said deputies learned the shooting happened in Dillard’s.
Upon arrival, deputies were informed the suspect had fled the scene and the victim had left, too.
Deputies later learned the victim had driven themselves to a local hospital for treatment.
The mall was closed and will remain closed until Monday, when it will resume normal business hours.
Sheriff’s Lt. Robbie Silas termed it an isolated incident and said investigators are actively looking for the suspect.
People at the mall told News 12 they hid inside dressing rooms at a department store once they heard gunfire.
At the scene, we saw eight Richmond County Sheriff’s Office vehicles and two Central EMS ambulances with lights flashing and no activity.
It’s not the first time shots have been fired at the mall.
On Oct. 3 2022, one person was killed in a shooting at the mall. Tony Rodrequez Burton, of Augusta, was found guilty in October 2023 of two counts of voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony,
The shooting also prompted a lawsuit by an employee who claimed the mall failed to keep the premises safe.
In June 2022, someone displayed a gun during an altercation in the food court. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.
Sunday’s incident comes amid an outbreak of violent crimes that’s claimed more than 150 lives across the CSRA in two years. It’s affected communities large and small on both sides of the Savannah River. But as the largest city in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.
Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs, and many of the victims as well as the suspects have been young men.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.
Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.
After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Vermont5 minutes agoVermont lawmakers reject digital lottery initiative – Valley News
-
Virginia11 minutes agoVirginia’s special election redistricting battle is next week and has national impacts
-
Washington17 minutes agoThe Church of Jesus Christ has announced its 384th temple
-
Wisconsin23 minutes agoWisconsin authorities put total arrests from clashes at beagle breeding facility at about 25
-
West Virginia29 minutes agoThis week in West Virginia history: April 19-25
-
Wyoming35 minutes agoIdaho semitruck driver involved in fatal accident at Wyoming FlyingJ – East Idaho News
-
Crypto41 minutes agoUpcoming ‘Bitcoin’ Movie With Casey Affleck, Gal Gadot Probes Satoshi’s Identity
-
Finance47 minutes agoHong Kong reasserts role as safe haven in global finance amid Iran conflict