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Investigators interviewing person of interest in acid attack in Savannah’s Forsyth Park, mayor says

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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.

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The mayor said that officers have interviewed dozens of individuals since the attack in Forsyth Park on Dec. 10.

In this photo provided by Connor Milam, her friend Ashley Wasielewski sits with bandages in a hospital bed in Augusta, Ga., on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, after witnesses she suffered severe burns when an unknown attacker poured a corrosive chemical over her head at a public park in Savannah. (Connor Milam via AP)

Connor Milam / AP


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.

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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.

ashley-wasielewski.jpg

Ashley Wasielewski was left with severe burns over half her body after what appeared to be a random acid attack while she was walking in a Savannah park.

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Courtesy of GoFundMe


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.

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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.

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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.

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Augusta, GA

Turner Homers in Series Finale Against Lander – Augusta University

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Turner Homers in Series Finale Against Lander – Augusta University


Augusta, Ga. – Nolan Turner had two hits, a homer, and scored twice to lead Augusta, but it was Lander picking up the win 19-4 over Augusta in the series finale on Sunday at Jaguar field. Augusta is now 12-10 overall and 8-4 in the Peach Belt Conference. The Bearcats are 14-8 overall and 8-4 in conference play.

AU got on the board in the opening inning as Turner scored on a wild pitch. But Lander would respond four runs in the second on a grand slam home run.

In the bottom of the second, the Jaguars would plate a pair of runs. Davis Newman singled home Harris Bachelder and Nathan Martin would come up with a sacrifice fly that scored Roland Chance

The Bearcats would blow it open by scoring 10 runs in the third inning.

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Turner would deliver a solo homer in the third for the last Augusta run.

Augusta collected eight hits on the day with Turner being the only player with more than one.

The Jaguars will next be on the field when they travel to Cochran, Ga. to take on Middle Georgia in a three game series. The opener is Friday at 6 p.m. 

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

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Augusta, GA

Women’s Healthy and Beauty Expo in Augusta celebrates Women’s History Month

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Women’s Healthy and Beauty Expo in Augusta celebrates Women’s History Month


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Cher’s Sisters Only Club hosted a CSRA women’s health and beauty expo in Augusta to celebrate women’s history month.

The event took place at the Julian Smith Casino on Broad Street, where there was a fashion show, vendors, community engagement and some wellness resources.

“We had CrossFit, we had Fit to Run, we have some other vendors that has like branding wellness type products and things like that, but as a whole, we had 42 vendors that have enjoyed, and the people that come out have seemed to enjoy it too,” Vonteice Davis and Cher Best of Cher’s Sisters Only Club.

The Augusta Parks and Recreation partnered with the club for Sunday’s event.

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Augusta teen summit focuses on deterring crime and gang ties

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Augusta teen summit focuses on deterring crime and gang ties


AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- Saturday afternoon local leaders in Richmond County held a Community Teen Summit and Youth Forum at May Park Community Center to combat the rise in teen violence.

“We wanted to bring in some of the young adults in our community to a safe place where they can utilize their voice. They can be heard,” said Cheryl Bryant, one of the event coordinators.

The forum was centered on reaching teens who may be at risk of joining gangs or other criminal behaviors.

“We see so much happening with our youth. We’ve seen it in the news. I see it in our courtrooms, whether I’m representing the youth or if I’ve seen a youth before me, and if there’s any information I can share that can protect them from coming into the court system, whether it’s for a criminal charge or for some other reason, I like to do that,” said Katrell Nash, a Juvenile Attorney and Judge.

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The event featured community leaders like Sheriff Eugene Brantley and included panel speakers and other vendors designed to support local youth.

“We’re here to let the youth know that there are resources in the community for them. There’s job opportunities. There is mentoring. We’ve got gang mentors,” explained Stephanie Allen, the Public Education Specialist for the Augusta Fire Department.

A recurring theme of the event was “It Takes a Village.” Community members said it is important to show up for youth who may be struggling and help them make better life choices.

“We just want them to know that they’re not alone and that whatever their struggles are, whatever they’re going through– cyber bullying, peer bullying, feel like they don’t have the support at home, that they can reach out to community members and that we’re here to help them. All they have to do is ask,” Allen said.

“That they feel as if we care and we want to help and that they know that there are things in place for them to get help,” added Sheriff Eugene Brantley.

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The summit was well attended with between 100 and 200 people. Leaders said it made them hopeful that more of Richmond County’s youth will turn from violence and crime and walk a better path.

“I love to see that children are engaged, that they want to know more about their rights. They want to know more about what the law says, as well as what they should do in these situations. It makes me very optimistic about their futures and the future of our community at large,” Nash explained.

“I think it’s going to like open them up to other opportunities. And I hope that they go back to school on Monday and tell their peers what they learned here today,” said Allen.

“Hopefully the kids and the youth who are here will engage with the sponsors and the mentors that are here, and hopefully they’ll learn and make better choices and make better decisions. And learn to respond instead of react to things,” said Sheriff Brantley.

Organizers are hoping the teen summit will become an annual event.

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Photojournalist: Avery Van Dusen.

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