Augusta, GA

Brothers arrested in downtown Augusta shooting

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2024

Brothers arrested in downtown Augusta shooting

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two suspects – apparently brothers – have been arrested in connection with the downtown Augusta shooting last weekend.

Amazing Lee Blessed Brigham, 19, was arrested Tuesday after being released from the hospital, where he’d been since shortly after the shooting early Saturday at 10th and Broad streets.

Also arrested Tuesday was Seven D. Whitfield, 23. Their sister told News 12 on Saturday that Whitfield had been taken to the hospital immediately after the shooting but released and was not considered a suspect at that time. Something apparently changed between Saturday and Tuesday.

Brigham was being held Wednesday in Richmond County jail on two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm or knife during a crime.

DOWNTOWN SHOOTING: TEAM COVERAGE

Whitfield was being held on one count of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm or knife during a crime.

On Wednesday, bond for each was listed as $7,900 on the weapons charge, with no bond listed in the aggravated assault counts.

From left: Amazing Brigham and Seven Whitfield(Contributed)

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation had already confirmed Monday that Brigham was a suspect.

The gunfire broke out around 1:15 a.m. Saturday, setting off chaos among frightened downtown visitors, spawning complaints from business owners concerned about safety and spurring the mayor to ask the state for law enforcement assistance.

Authorities have said there was a gunfight between at least one person and multiple others.

Three Richmond County deputies were working off-duty jobs at the restaurant Sole and heard the gunfire and rushed outside, where they found a man holding an assault pistol.

Two of the three deputies shot at the suspect, hitting him at least once.

The GBI says two other bystanders were also hit by gunfire. The suspect, along with the two bystanders, were taken to a local hospital and treated for their injuries.

The GBI said it is unknown what started the fight that led to the gunfight.

Multiple weapons were recovered at the crime scene, as well as other evidence of the crime, including seven vehicles that were hit by gunfire.

Several businesses sustained damage from several gunshots.

People told News 12 they heard what sounded like 100 gunshots. Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree – who’s facing a runoff election in less than a week – said he couldn’t comment on the number of rounds, but said it was a “massive amount.”

The GBI is conducting an independent investigation.

Once complete, the case file will be given to the Augusta District Attorney’s Office for review.

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Augusta, GA

Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident

Published

9 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident | News | wfxg.com

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Augusta, GA

Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta

Published

21 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.

Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.

Campaign priorities

Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.

“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”

Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Prep student arrested over picture of LEGO gun, threat he called a joke

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Prep student arrested over picture of LEGO gun, threat he called a joke

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta Prep student was arrested on a charge of terroristic threats over a picture of a LEGO gun he posted on social media.

It happened Wednesday, according to an incident report from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

Eric Hedinger, the principal of Augusta Preparatory Day School, told deputies a student had uploaded a picture to Snapchat of a “pistol” with the caption “shooting up the school so I don`t have to take the stats exam tomorrow. Don`t come yall!”

The principal said he spoke to the student and his father about the photo.

The principal also provided deputies with the student’s address in Grovetown.

A deputy went there and was told by the student that the “pistol” was a LEGO set that he had built.

He also said the comment he made was supposed to be a joke because he was not looking forward to taking his Advanced Placement statistics test this week.

The student showed the deputy the box that the LEGO set came in, and how the set was already disassembled.

The deputy also looked in the boy’s room to make sure he was not in possession of any weapons.

The mother advised that there was one firearm in the residence but it was locked up.