Augusta, GA

Downtown Augusta shooting stirs concern among business owners

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2024

Downtown Augusta shooting stirs concern among business owners

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After a gunbattle in downtown Augusta sent bullets into a crowd early Saturday, some business owners are concerned.

Two people were injured and the gunman was shot by deputies.

And while officials say it could have been far worse, could it hurt business downtown?

On Saturday night, less than 24 hours after the shooting, downtown was busy and parking spaces were hard to find.

People were still walking around and most of them seemed unbothered by the shooting.

Still, people told us it wasn’t quite as busy as a typical Saturday night.

DOWNTOWN SHOOTING: TEAM COVERAGE

Popular night spots had people inside, but they were by no means crowded.

Everyone was being super-cautious, said Airrie Henschell, a server told us at Mellow Mushroom.

Her pockets were taking a hit, too.

“Bills are not getting paid,” she said.

And while some businesses were seeing a negative effect, other businesses are still unsure.

“I really can’t tell,” said Aris Reed, co-owner of Lenox on Tenth.

“I can’t say that we’ve seen too much of an influx or an effect on our business,” she said Saturday.

“I know it’s bad for the reputation of downtown Augusta,” she said.

The shooting is not a reflection of Augusta, though, she said.

“It’s very welcoming,” she said, calling it a “really great community.”

Still, the downtown community is left shattered like the windows the bullets took out early Saturday.

“The one thing that we’re kind of disheartened about is the reputation of downtown Augusta just gets smeared when occurrences like this happen,” she said.

PHOTO GALLERY:

She believes that regardless of what happened Saturday morning, Augusta is still great.

“You know, don’t let a few bad apples ruin the bunch,” she said.

“This is a great city. This is a great location.”

Some business owners expressed concerns directly to Sheriff Richard Roundtree on Saturday.

When Roundtree held a news conference to discuss the shooting, 20 to 25 of them showed up and peppered him with complaints and questions, especially about young people loitering. One told the sheriff that he doesn’t get a response from deputies when he calls 911.

The sheriff said he’d prefer to discuss that in a different setting, since his news conference was held specifically to discuss the shooting.

Mayor Garnett Johnson said he’s heard from business owners that they want a safer downtown, and he pledged to make that happen. He said he asked Gov. Brian Kemp for assistance, and Kemp pledged to send Georgia State Patrol troopers and Georgia Department of Natural Resources officers to bolster downtown patrols.

On Saturday night, there did seem to be a law enforcement presence on Broad Street.

News 12 drove along the thoroughfare between 10 and 11 p.m. Saturday, and we saw:

A white unmarked Chevy Impala with blue lights on parked in front of Dirty Boots.
A deputy parked in front of the Firestone Auto Shop.
A Richmond County Sheriff’s Office car parked at Broad and 12th streets.
Some patrol cars in front of Smoke Shop.
A Georgia State Patrol car; the trooper had a woman in handcuffs.

Team coverage by News 12 staff members including Audrey Dickherber, Hallie Turner, Jada Walker, Sydney Hood, Will Rioux, Nick Proto, Zayna Haliburton, Ashley Campbell, Estelle Parsley, Mikel Hannah-Harding, Gary Pikula, Steve Byerly and Lois White.

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie’s Career-High 33 Lifts Augusta Past Middle Georgia in PBC Tournament Quarterfinals – Augusta University

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Abercrombie’s Career-High 33 Lifts Augusta Past Middle Georgia in PBC Tournament Quarterfinals – Augusta University

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta opened Peach Belt Conference Tournament play with a win Wednesday, outlasting Middle Georgia 74-70 in the PBC quarterfinals atChristenberry Fieldhouse.

The Jaguars (19-9, 13-7 Peach Belt) move on to the next round of four and will travel to top-seeded Columbus State on Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ga.

Augusta got rolling early behind Quinasia Abercrombie, who buried a three in the opening minute and continued to set the tone offensively. The Jaguars built momentum on both ends, and Nadiyah Byard provided an instant spark off the bench with a layup late in the first quarter to help Augusta take a 16-13 lead after one.

The second quarter belonged to the Jaguars’ defense. Middle Georgia managed just six points in the period, as Augusta tightened the paint and forced tough possessions. Amari Jackson hit a pair of free throws early in the quarter and later added a layup, while Abercrombie finished the half with a strong push in transition to keep Augusta in control. The Jaguars took a 31-19 lead into halftime after holding Middle Georgia to 1-for-13 shooting in the second quarter.

Middle Georgia responded coming out of the break, but Augusta answered every push. Abercrombie knocked down a fast-break three early in the third, and Jackson followed with a layup to keep the advantage comfortable. Sa’Niah Dorsey connected from deep during the quarter, and Augusta shot 61.5 percent in the third to carry a 54-40 lead into the final 10 minutes.

The final quarter turned into a battle. Middle Georgia found rhythm offensively and closed the gap with repeated second-chance opportunities, eventually cutting it to a one-possession game in the final minute. Augusta stayed poised at the line down the stretch, with Elyse Autrey knocking down key free throws in the closing seconds to preserve the win.

Abercrombie led Augusta with a career-high 33 points, going 13-of-20 from the field and 3-of-6 from three. Jackson added 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Dorsey finished with seven points, while Autrey dished out six assists and went 5-for-6 at the free throw line.

Middle Georgia (17-11, 10-10 Peach Belt) was paced by Mauryah Jones with 20 points and Kristen Foglia with 18. The Knights also received 13 points and 15 rebounds from Kennedi Hawkins.

Wednesday’s game also featured a special atmosphere at Christenberry Fieldhouse, with the Lucy C. Laney High School Marching Band, the Pride of Augusta, providing in-game entertainment.

Augusta advances to face top-seeded Columbus State on Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ga.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Boxing Club faces financial uncertainty after nonprofit funding cuts

Published

14 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Boxing Club faces financial uncertainty after nonprofit funding cuts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Boxing Club is facing financial uncertainty after Richmond County’s 2026 budget left no room to fund nonprofit organizations.

The county’s decision removes one of the club’s main financial supporters, leaving the historic organization without a key source of funding.

The Augusta Boxing Club is one of the nation’s longest-running amateur boxing clubs and has served at-risk youth in the Augusta area.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta picks new planning and development director

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Augusta picks new planning and development director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta-Richmond County has selected a new planning and development director nearly a year after the previous director resigned.

Commissioners voted to hire Adleasia J. Cameron, who goes by Lisa, after an executive session Tuesday.

Cameron was one of two finalists for the position, along with Ryan A. Bland.

The position has been vacant since May 30, when Carla Delaney resigned as planning and development director.

“Augusta has been home to me for many years, from my time as a middle and high school student to earning my graduate degree. It has truly been a privilege to work here and contribute to the community’s growth, sustainability, and development,” Delaney wrote in her letter of resignation.

Cameron is expected to start within the next 30 days.

Her salary will be $125,000, with a moving allowance of up to $10,000 reimbursed based on receipts.