Augusta, GA
‘Claims of shots fired’ bring police, parents to Laney High
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There was a large police presence Monday morning at Lucy C. Laney High School.
According to an alert from nearby Augusta University, the response was prompted by “claims of shots fired.”
About a dozen patrol cars with blue lights flashing, including about eight cars from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, were at the school, 1339 Laney Walker Blvd., about 10:54 a.m.
Around 11:15 a.m., it appeared that a young man in handcuffs was being put into the back of a patrol car.
Two officers were guarding the gate.
An officer said just before 11 a.m. there was a “soft lockdown” and the situation had been contained.
They said there were no injuries but they gave no details of what had actually happened.
However, nearby Augusta University issued an alert to the AU community that around 10 a.m., the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office “responded to claims of shots fired.”
The alert continued: “Upon arrival it was determined that there was no active threat to the community and surrounding area.”
As rumors flew on social media, an army of parents showed up at the school, with many of them parking across the street/
At 11:15 a.m., officers gave the OK and parents streamed across Laney Walker Boulevard and into the school. Authorities said they would need an ID to pick up their kids.
At least some police cars were starting to leave the scene around 11:05 a.m.
News 12 reached out to the Richmond County School System and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to learn more about the situation.
Laney High School has not been immune from the weapons and gunfire at schools across the country in recent years.
On Sept. 16, 2022, there was a shooting outside the Laney High School football game against Thomson. The shooting was blamed on visitors from McDuffie County.
In March, a gun was found in a student’s book bag during an administrative search on the campus.
Copyright 2024 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.
With deepest and heartfelt sympathy, G. L. Brightharp & Sons announces the transition of Mr. Willie J. Tanksley who entered into rest April 18, 2026.
Mr. Tanksley, a native of Richmond County, was a 1985 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County. He was a member of Greater Young Zion Baptist Church where he served in the Brotherhood Ministry.
Survivors include his wife, Sabrina Tanksley; two daughters, Ashley Tanksley and Taylor Tanksley; siblings, Elise Tanksley of Augusta, GA, Wilhelmina Roland of Atlanta, GA, Terry Tanksley, Tommy Tanksley, Watler Tanksley and Elder Claude (Kimberly) Tanksley all of Augusta, GA; an aunt, Frances Tate; an uncle, James Tanksley; mother-in-law, Sandra Harrison of Beech Island, SC; father-in-law, Jimmy (Elnora) Bing; three sisters-in-law, Fonda Rainey, Nicole Harrison and Nina Bing; a brother-in-law, Eric Bing; a host of nieces , nephews, along with other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Greater Young Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. William A. Blount officiating. Interment will follow at Walker Memorial Park. Viewing will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.
The family will not be receiving visitors at the home. We ask that you continue to pray for them during this time.
Professional Services are under the compassionate care of G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary-North Augusta.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree’s funeral was held on Friday morning.
The funeral began at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, the Rev. Karlton Howard officiating.
WATCH THE FUNERAL
Interment will follow at Noah’s Ark Baptist Church Cemetery in Waynesboro.
A viewing was held on Thursday at Good Shepherd Baptist Church from 2-6 p.m.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Classmate remembers former Sheriff Richard Roundtree ahead of funeral
- Funeral announced for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree
News 12 first learned of Roundtree’s passing on April 11. He’d been in a metro Atlanta hospital with serious medical issues.
Several people spoke during the funeral service, but one deputy in particular spoke of Roundtree’s leadership.
“He was more than a sheriff. He was an innovator. He looked for better ways to serve. He led with integrity, courage and genuine commitment,” said the deputy.
Roundtree, 57, was the head law enforcement officer in Augusta for more than a decade − and when he took office in 2012, notably no sheriff had been like him.
He was the first African American elected to the title, something he spent a career working toward.
He was highly visible in the community, where he could frequently be seen in a vest, working a crime scene along with his deputies.
Former classmate Clarence Brown said he was proud of Roundtree for his work.
“I was proud of him for, for actually, you know, getting to that level. But at the same time I realized that that’s a heavy weight, especially being from the community, um, and, and to draw in the community,” Brown said. “And so I wanted him to know that there was somebody in his corner that didn’t need anything.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Alabama19 seconds agoYMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort
-
Alaska6 minutes ago
Bear injures two US soldiers during military training in Alaska | The Jerusalem Post
-
Arizona12 minutes agoNFL mock draft: 4-round projections for Arizona Cardinals
-
Arkansas18 minutes agoNo. 6 Arkansas ends top-ranked OU’s 31-game home winning streak with 3-2 decision
-
California24 minutes ago
Billionaire Steyer’s spending binge dwarfs rival campaigns in California governor’s race
-
Colorado30 minutes agoLandeskog – April 18 | Colorado Avalanche
-
Connecticut36 minutes agoOvernight Forecast for April 19
-
Delaware42 minutes agoState Police Arrest Dover Man for Assault and Aggravated Menacing in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware