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Dekalb police ID suspect after missing Augusta woman found dead

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Dekalb police ID suspect after missing Augusta woman found dead


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re learning new information about a missing Augusta woman whose body was found in a car in an Atlanta-area parking lot.

The Dekalb Police Department says Shekema Toran, 36, was found dead on Sunday at 2385 Wesley Chapel Road.

The police department says a suspect has been identified and warrants have been secured, but they are not able to release the names at this time.

Officials with the department says the case is being investigated by their Homicide Assault Unit.

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Toran was last seen on Aug. 8, and thought to be headed for Atlanta – where her phone was last “pinned.”

Her family members have been frantically looking for her and on Monday were sharing news reports on social media of the discovery of a body in Decatur – one they were afraid could be Toran’s.

On Monday afternoon, they learned what they feared: It was her body.

Authorities have been seeking her boyfriend for questioning since she was reported missing.

In Decatur, police said they responded to a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a Kroger in a shopping center in the 2300 block of Wesley Chapel Road around 9:42 a.m. Sunday. When they arrived, officers reportedly found a dead woman inside the vehicle. Authorities haven’t released the cause of death.

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She was identified Monday as Toran, who was last seen near Diamond Lakes Park, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Toran’s mother said Toran’s boyfriend of two months, Biarritz “Danate” Martin, and Toran were at her home.

Shekema Toran and Barritz Martin
Shekema Toran and Barritz Martin(Contributed)

After an argument started, Martin left the home after Toran’s mother asked him to leave. He returned two hours later to pick Toran up, according to the report.

According to her statement, Toran’s mother has not heard from her daughter since and said she’d gotten texts that “do not sound like her daughter.”

The report states that deputies contacted Martin’s roommates, who reported that Martin was at the home Tuesday night, but Toran was not with him.

Deputies said they made multiple attempts to contact Martin, but there was no answer.

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Augusta crime

After some time, the report states Martin returned the deputy’s call, who asked to speak with Toran multiple times.

Martin could be heard saying, “Wake up,” and smacking the dash or seat, according to deputies.

This repeated for around 10 minutes before Martin disconnected the call and did not answer on callback.

Family members were out looking for Toran on Friday.

“I’m really lost. I don’t know what to do for real,” said her brother Travoun West.

Judge Robert Reeves

Toran was believed to be in a white 2004 Ford F-250 with Georgia tag RJW1158.

Deputies released a photo of Martin and said he’s 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 160 pounds.

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A balloon release in honor of Toran will be held on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Bernie Ward Community Center.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.



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Augusta, GA

Inmate recovering after being stabbed multiple times at Augusta jail

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Inmate recovering after being stabbed multiple times at Augusta jail


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta inmate is now recovering after he was stabbed multiple times at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center last week, according to authorities.

Deputies say they responded to the jail on Jan. 22 and met with medial personnel at the jail.

Medical staff informed deputies that an inmate was stabbed multiple times in F Pod, according to the incident report.

Deputies say after the inmate was stabbed, his clothes, facility issued tablet and Store Call were stolen.

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According to the report, the inmate told deputies he is a part of local gang, and the person who stabbed him is part of another gang.

Deputies say they found nine stab wounds and lacerations on the inmate, including on his left arm, left shoulder and his head.

While searching the F Pod, deputies found a uniform top with blood on it under another inmates mattress. They also found the injured inmate’s jail wristband under the mattress.

During the search, deputies say they also found a six inch sharpened metal object that appeared to have blood on it.

According to the report, five inmates were involved in the incident.

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Officials say the inmate suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is now in stable condition.



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Augusta, GA

Augusta government provides update on HCD audit

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Augusta government provides update on HCD audit


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta officials say a preliminary response related to an audit of the Housing and Community Development Department was received Tuesday from Cherry Bekaert.

The audit report is not yet complete, according to the city.

After initial review, the city has requested additional information to “ensure clarity and accuracy before the process moves forward.”

“The Augusta government remains committed to transparency and will provide further updates once the requested information is received and the audit is finalized,” the city said in the news release.

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In November, Augusta Commission members held a budget workshop session with much discussion about the Housing and Community Development Department.

That’s the department that left the city on the hook to pay back millions in federal grant money.

The city received more than $6 million in grant money during the COVID-19 pandemic, supposedly to help people who were in danger of eviction.

The city never spent the money for that purpose, so the government demanded it back.

The department didn’t have the money on hand, so the city had to repay it, and then some, from the general fund — $6.3 million of the original grant money and $2.1 million in penalties.

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The scandal led to the exit of Housing and Community Director Hawthorne Welcher and sparked an audit of the department.

On Oct. 28, commissioners in closed executive session approved the payment of up to $32,237.32 from contingency funds for rental assistance previously approved by the Housing and Community Development Department.

This means leaders agreed to take the money from their emergency fund and use it to help people with their rent as part of a program the department had already put in place.

Mayor Garnett Johnson said at the time this was an effort to address letters that were sent out, falsely leading people to believe they were getting some emergency funds.

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Get medical care at several health events in Augusta

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Get medical care at several health events in Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Several health events in Augusta on Tuesday are offering help to those who need medical care.

Department of Public Health mobile clinic

The Department of Public Health mobile clinic will be at Christenberry Fieldhouse on Tuesday.

Officials say the clinic makes it easier to receive care for those who don’t have transportation.

The clinic will be at the 3109 Wrightsboro Road from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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You can receive sports, work and school physicals, diabetes management, WIC referrals, vaccines and more.

The mobile clinic offers private exam rooms, wheelchair-accessible lifts and modern medical equipment.

For more information on the mobile clinic and what stops it will take, visit www.ecphd.com/wego.

Annual Horizon Truckers Clinic

The fourth annual health fair for bus and shuttle driver employees with Horizon Motor Coach will be held on Tuesday at Julian Smith Casino, 2200 Broad Street.

This event will start at 11 a.m.

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In partnership with the Augusta Lions Club, the Augusta University’s College of Nursing, Georgia Prevention Institute, College of Allied Health Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia and the Georgia Cancer Center make the event possible.

The health fair is designed to help prevent and identify health issues as well as providing mock DOT exams, dental examinations and nutrition advice.



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