Augusta, GA

Is downtown Augusta safe? Residents give their thoughts after Saturday shooting

Published

2 years ago

June 10, 2024

Is downtown Augusta safe? Residents give their thoughts after Saturday shooting

Augusta’s downtown First Friday festivities were followed by a violent shooting early Saturday that left three injured, including a suspect after deputies on site fired back. In the hours that followed, the Augusta Chronicle spoke with residents about their thoughts on downtown Augusta’s safety.

Several like Kenzie Castro said incidents like the one Saturday are why she rarely visits downtown.

“My friends love to go downtown and always ask me and my hubby if we would like to join and we always reply ‘no,’” she wrote via Messenger. “Always gives me a bad vibe and now I see why I am glad I’ve always trusted my gut.”

Downtown shooting: Augusta sheriff, mayor try to reassure downtown residents after Saturday shootout

Chelsea Maultsby said the scene really changes as the sun sets.

“I don’t trust downtown,” Maultsby said. “In the daytime it’s safe, (but) not at night. These young kids be doing stuff. I don’t even like stepping out here. It used to be fun.”

Lashanda Murray expressed similar sentiments.

“I think, during the day, it’s typically like this, nice and peaceful,” she said. “During the night … frankly, I think there could be more police presence just to ensure that the same atmosphere during the day you have at night.”

Following a press conference about the shooting on Saturday, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson expressed interest in addressing this with the Augusta Commission.

“Our downtown is a safe area,” the mayor said. “However, I am extremely disappointed in the level of violence and the level of lawlessness that occurs in our downtown corridor late in the evening.”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, who is leading the investigation in this case since it involves local deputies shooting a suspect, released a statement on Sunday noting they arrested Amazing Lee Blessed Brigham, 19, of Hephzibah. He is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a gun during a crime.

Three deputies were working off-duty jobs at Solé restaurant, located at 1033 Broad St., when they heard multiple gunshots, according to the GBI. The deputies responded, found the suspect outside the restaurant with an assault pistol. They fired at him, hitting the suspect at least once.

While many downtown business owners declined to comment, multiple showed up at the press conference and expressed their concern over insufficient police presence. Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree said he was more than happy to talk to them at a later date while also arguing that downtown is one of the safest spots in Richmond County and they have a significant downtown presence.

However, one owner that has publicly spoken is Sean Wight who owns the Frog Hollow Group, which includes restaurants like Farmhaus, Tacocat, and Pho-Ramen’L. He gave the following comment in a news release with Richmond County sheriff’s candidate Eugene “Gino Rock” Brantley:

“I feel like downtown Augusta as a destination is a safe place with a lower crime rate than most city’s our size, however when there are known events that draw large crowds such as First Friday or other late-night events,” he nored, “the lack of police presence and proactive crowd control is distressing, especially since this has been a recurring issue for several years.”

Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson also supported the safety of downtown while also saying they need to be sensitive to those who live and work downtown every day. Johnson said they will be going to the drawing board to figure out how to best meet their needs.

The investigation into Saturday’s shooting is still underway and has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI communications center can be reached at (404) 244-2600. Confidential tips for the sheriff’s office can be posted online at richmondcountysheriffsoffice.com/crime-tip.cfm.

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Augusta, GA

17-year-old hit by two vehicles after I-520 crash, officials say

Published

8 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

17-year-old hit by two vehicles after I-520 crash, officials say

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 17-year-old driving a possibly stolen vehicle was critically injured Thursday after fleeing Richmond County deputies, crashing near I-520 and running into interstate traffic, authorities said.

Richmond County deputies went to the area of Barton Chapel Road and Old McDuffie Road at around 8:19 a.m. Thursday for a possible stolen vehicle described as an orange Dodge Challenger.

Deputies located the vehicle at the intersection of Barton Chapel Road and Old McDuffie Road, and as deputies attempted to turn around and make contact, the driver sped away going eastbound on Old McDuffie Road, officials said.

Deputies attempted to follow the vehicle but lost sight of it shortly thereafter.

A short time later, a deputy saw that the Challenger had crashed at the dead end of Old McDuffie Road after traveling through a private fence, authorities say.

The vehicle stopped on an embankment along the southeast shoulder of I-520 eastbound near mile marker 4, according to the sheriff’s office.

As deputies approached the vehicle, deputies said the driver ran across the eastbound lanes of I-520 into oncoming traffic, and was hit by a passing vehicle.

The impact from the first vehicle caused him to hit the windshield of a second vehicle traveling in the same direction, according to officials. He was then propelled over the center barrier wall into the westbound lanes of the interstate.

The driver was transported to Wellstar MCG by Central EMS for treatment and is listed in critical condition, the sheriff’s office said.

Georgia State Patrol has been notified and is leading the investigation into the incident. Any additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The crash shut down all lanes on the interstate for hours on Thursday morning, reopening around 11 a.m.

On Wednesday morning, Richmond County deputies responded to another “serious” crash on Barton Chapel Road, which turned out to be deadly.

According to data provided by the sheriff’s office, traffic collisions in Richmond County decreased by 3% in the past year, from 10,672 in 2024 to 10,402 in 2025.

The more significant decrease came with a 43% in traffic fatalities in the county. Fatalities dropped from 44 in 2024 to 25 in 2025.

More broadly, in Georgia, there were a total of 367,523 crashes in 2024, which is down from 374,006 in 2023, according to GDOT.

There was a total of 1,494 fatal crashes in Georgia in 2024, down from 1,666 in 2023.

GDOT says 76% of the time, fatal crashes are caused by unsafe driving behaviors, including distractions, impairment or driving too fast for conditions.

And in Nov. 2025, the sheriff’s office was one of 26 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety awarded the sheriff’s office with $192,286.36.

The Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic, or H.E.A.T., program is designed to combat crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving and speeding, while also increasing seatbelt use and educating the public about traffic safety.

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Augusta, GA

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

Published

20 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

1 day 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.