Augusta, GA
Investigators interviewing person of interest in acid attack in Savannah’s Forsyth Park, mayor says
Savannah police and the FBI are continuing to follow any possible leads to find whoever is responsible for the acid attack in a local park that left a woman with severe burns.
During a media update on Tuesday, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said a person of interest police were looking to identify is now being interviewed by investigators.
The person of interest, whom Johnson called “Bugs Bunny guy,” came in voluntarily and has not been identified as a suspect in the case at this time.
“He is not detained at this time. We are just asking questions of him,” Johnson said.
The mayor said that officers have interviewed dozens of individuals since the attack in Forsyth Park on Dec. 10.
An unusual attack shocks Savannah
On that night, 46-year-old Ashley Wasielewski had gone for a walk after attending a Christmas program at a nearby church. She was walking laps at Forsyth Park when the attack happened. Her son, Westley Wasielewski, said he learned about what happened through a phone call from a bystander who stopped to help his mother. He said he could hear her screaming in pain over the phone.
Wasielewski suffered burns that covered about half of her body, including her scalp, face, and legs.
From her hospital bed, Wasielewski told family and friends that she was walking along the sidewalk near the edge of the park when she noticed a shadow coming up behind her, said close friend Connor Milam. As she turned around, the person poured a liquid over her head.
“She was instantly like, ‘Why are you pouring water on me?’ And then her skin started to burn,” Milam told the Associated Press. “She looked down, and her pants were starting to burn off her body. She started screaming.”
Investigators later determined that the substance was acid.
Investigation into acid attack continues
Johnson called the attack a “horrific incident” that shocked him and other Savannah residents “to the core.”
“In all of the time that I have been in law enforcement here and engaged in public service – over 30 years – I can not remember anything like this involving acid. And there are just so many questions,” Johnson said.
The Savannah Police Department took to social media to ask for the public’s help identifying a man seen on security footage near the park and the driver of a white SUV/Crossover that was spotted traveling on Whitaker Street. Both have since made contact with investigators.
The department is working with the FBI, which set up $5,000 reward on Monday for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the attack.
Police have increased patrols in city parks out of an abundance of caution and urged residents to stay aware of their surroundings and report suspicious activity. Officials do not believe there is any indication of an ongoing threat.
“We’re not going to let people scare us out of our parks,” Johnson said.
The FBI and the Savannah Police Department have established a digital tip line for photos and videos that may aid in the investigation here.
Anyone with information about the attack is urged to contact the Savannah Police Department at (912) 234-2020 or the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-225-5324.
Burn victim continues slow recovery
A GoFundMe page created by friends of Wasielewski has raised more than $170,000 to help cover her medical bills and long-term recovery costs. According to the page, the money will go toward burn unit care, surgeries, rehabilitation, wound care, skin grafts, and adaptive needs.
A friend provided a medical update saying most of Wasielewski’s burns have been diagnosed as third-degree and cover more than 50% of her body. The friend said it is unlikely hair will grow back on her scalp and that doctors are closely monitoring whether her body will accept cadaver skin following recent surgery before moving forward with skin grafting procedures.
Despite the attack, Johnson said that Wasielewski “has had a remarkable attitude.”
“The city will continue to be supportive to her on that end, and we’ll be very interested in justice and accountability on the other end,” he said. “Because I think what will make her feel best is to make sure that whoever did this is off of our streets.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Following back-to-back state championships and the retirement of legendary coach Al Young, a new leader is taking over one of the premier girls basketball programs in South Carolina.
Scheraun King is just weeks into his tenure as head coach of the North Augusta girls basketball team, inheriting a program that has become synonymous with winning.
Despite being new to the position, King said his focus is on maintaining the championship standard that has been established while putting his own stamp on the program.
“I’m the new kid on the block, but I bet you I’m going to get the girls as best prepared as possible to continue on with the championships that have came before us,” said King.
King understands the expectations that come with leading the Yellow Jackets after decades of success under Courtney Cummings and Young.
“I know what’s in front of me,” said King. “I know it’s some very large shoes to fill with Coach Cummings and Coach Young coming before me with some state championships, so I’m here to make my own way and hopefully continue the pedigree that they left.”
The transition has brought change throughout the program.
Former underclassmen have stepped into leadership roles, while players work to adjust to a new coaching style.
“When we got the new coach, I was like, ‘He’s cool. He’s nice. He’s younger,” said senior player, Ashley Walker. “It’s very different, but I definitely like him.”
In the midst of summer ball, everyone is getting the hang of changing scenery.
“With Coach Young, it was like put your all in or nothing, but for right now, since it’s summer ball, we’re all trying to play together and build that chemistry,” said senior player, Tahj Flowers. “It’s just go day by day and try to get better.”
“He was telling us he’s very quiet, but when he comes to the court, he just opens up a lot,” said senior player, Jade Council. “I just feel like that will be better for us to get to know him since this is our first year with him.”
King grew up in Staten Island, New York, playing college ball at Albany State before serving as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff.
He then spent several years playing basketball overseas in Australia, Bolivia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Saudi Arabia.
His playing days brought him back to the U.S., where he began coaching middle school basketball, leading him to coach high school.
Now, he takes over the reins of a program seeking to extend its championship pedigree as a new era begins in the Yellow Jackets’ den.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said it has reviewed an incident shown in a social media video that shows one of its patrol vehicles striking a dog.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office said it opened a review immediately after learning of the video and identified the deputy involved. Investigators determined the deputy was en route to a traffic accident when a dog entered the roadway and walked into the patrol vehicle’s path, officials said.
According to the sheriff’s office, the deputy was unaware that the vehicle had struck the dog and did not stop.
As part of the review, the sheriff’s office examined the patrol vehicle’s GPS data and said it confirmed the deputy was not exceeding the posted speed limit at the time of the incident.
The sheriff’s office noted that Georgia law places responsibility on dog owners or custodians to maintain control of their animals when they are off the owner’s property. Owners or custodians may be held civilly liable for damages caused by a dog while it is off their property, the statement said.
Officials said the review found no evidence of criminal misconduct or policy violations by the deputy, concluding the deputy was responding to a call for service, driving within the posted speed limit, and was unaware the dog had been struck.
The sheriff’s office said it understands community concerns and noted pets are valued members of many families and that the agency is committed to reviewing incidents involving its personnel “thoroughly and objectively.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A deadly domestic violence case in Augusta is drawing attention to a problem advocates say continues to affect thousand of families across Georgia and the CSRA.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the 1100 block of Peters Road around 2:56 a.m. Tuesday in reference to a domestice violence incident.
When deputies arrived, they found 42-year-old Sevina Walker unresponsive and suffering from at least one puncture wound. Walker was transported to WellStar MCG, where she later died from her injuries.
Investigators detained 54-year-old Terence Miller at the scene. He has since been charged with murder.
While the investigation remain ongoing, domestic violence advocates say the case serves as a reminder of the challenges many victims face long before violence escalates.
Data from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence shows more than 42,000 family violence incidents were reported statewide in 2024, an increase of 12 percent comapred to the previous year. The commission also reported 159 domestic violence-related deaths across Georgia last year.
Locally, SafeHomes Augusta says is helped more than 1,700 victims and family members throught the CSRA over the past year.
Amiee Hall, executive director of SafeHomes, says recongnizing warning signs early can be critical.
“Threats of violence, isolation from family and friends, controlling behavior, verbal abuse and manipulation are warning signs that should not be ignored,” Hall said.
“When a victim leaves a domestic violence situation, that is the most dangerous time because the abuser is losing power and control,” Hall said. “There still have to be safety measures in place to help protect that victim.”
NewsChannel 6 also spoke with WJBF anchor Dee Griffin, who has publicly shared her experience as a domestic violence survivor.
Griffin says she wants victims to know their lives are worth protecting.
“You may feel like you’ll lose a lot, but the abuser does not deserve the right to take your life,” Griffin said. “Your children deserve to have a parent. Your family and friends deserve to have you.”
Advocates say domestic violence can include physical violence, emotional abuse, threats, intimidation, financial control and isolation.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking help can contact SafeHomes Augusta for support and resources.
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