Latest Augusta shooting leaves 1 person hospitalized

Published

2 weeks ago

April 26, 2024

Latest Augusta shooting leaves 1 person hospitalized

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has been taken to the hospital on Friday night after a shooting at Fox Trace in Augusta, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office confirms.

The sheriff’s office says deputies responded to Fox Trace in reference to shots fired with one person down at 9:43 p.m.

Upon arrival, deputies located one male subject in the roadway who was shot at least one time, officials say.

The male subject was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries, according to deputies.

A heavy police presence in the area was seen at 10:30 p.m. by a News 12 crew.

Officials say investigators are still on the scene.

This isn’t the only shooting that has happened in the crime-ridden area, including Smart Grocery Convenience Store.

Smart Grocery and its immediate surroundings have been the site of several gun incidents in recent years. Among those incidents:

On Feb. 17, 2024, one person was sent to the hospital after a shooting at Fox Trace Apartments.
On Feb. 6, 2024, one person was sent to the hospital after a shooting on Fox Trace.
In December 2023, a shooting claimed the life of Jeremiah Griffin, 32, of the 300 block of Fox Trace.
In July 2023, one person was sent to a hospital after another shooting at the store.
In January 2023, a man was shot with his own gun in the 3200 block of Wrightsboro Road after an unknown person grabbed his pistol from his pocket and shot him with it as he tried to break up a fight.
In September 2022, Zayquantez Jones, 17, was killed in a shooting at the store.
In December 2021, two motorists fired gunshots at each other near the store before driving off in separate directions. One person was arrested.
On Nov. 23, 2021, a man pointed a gun at a woman in the parking lot of the store as part of an apparent road-rage incident.
In April 2021, a man was found in the parking lot of the store, injured after being shot at least twice.
In March 2020, a shooting there wounded a bystander after a verbal altercation in the parking lot. Marcia Laquette Wimbley, 28, of Augusta, was taken into custody
In November 2018, a victim was found in the parking lot of the store with at least two gunshot wounds in their mid-section.
In May 2017, a man suffered wounds to a hand and thigh in a shooting at the store. The injuries were not life-threatening.

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Family pleads for help finding missing 51-year-old in Augusta

Published

3 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Press Room

Family pleads for help finding missing 51-year-old in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding a missing 51-year-old man.

Jean Joseph Plaisir, also known as Jadan Pleakir and “Polo,” was last seen Saturday in the 3500 block of Windermere Drive wearing gray sweatpants, a gray sweatshirt and red sneakers.

Authorities released a photo of him and said he’s 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds.

His family also issued an urgent plea, writing on a missing poster, “Please come home, the kids miss you” and “Please don’t hurt him.” They also wrote: “We love you.”

They believe he disappeared after his car broke down.

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

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New family-affordable community hosts grand opening in Augusta

Published

11 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Press Room

New family-affordable community hosts grand opening in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new family-affordable community is coming to Augusta and opens on Wednesday.

Organizers say the grand opening of Walton Green community will begin around 11 a.m.

The community is built near the Legacy at Walton Green on 15th Street.

The community features:

Spacious apartments
An Adventure Center – A complimentary after-school enrichment program.
It has tutoring, field trips, and counseling services for the kids.
Learn more here: Adventure Centers — Mission 1:27 (mission127.ngo)
A playground
On-site management & maintenance
A book of the month program and resident services.

They’re looking forward to serving people with excellence.

To learn more, head over to the website.

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Bringing awareness to Augusta Richmond county’s number one killer

Published

18 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Press Room

Bringing awareness to Augusta Richmond county’s number one killer

AUGUSTA, Ga. –
It’s the number one killer of 31 to 51-year old’s in Augusta-Richmond county.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health—fentanyl related deaths are on the rise.

For National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Serenity Behavioral Health Systems took time out to educate the public.

Fox 54 got the chance to hear firsthand just how dangerous and deadly this drug can be.

Timothy Stephens says he used to abuse almost every drug on the market.

“I already had my second failed marriage, I was pretty much homeless. In my head I was like hey you lost everybody, this doctor obviously cares about you so why mess that up, just go ahead and go to a recovery meeting,” said Stephens

Now Stephens, whose been drug free for over a decade, is the founder of the non-profit, Augusta Recovery Alliance.

The goal—to help people facing the challenges he once encountered.

Stephens says, “I had a beer saved for me that evening and I was like its October 18th 2012, I just threw it in the trash and said I’m going to try my very best and I haven’t had a drink or a drug since. The only way I know how to keep it is by pouring into others and showing them the way out.”

Fentanyl use is on the rise, being found in almost all counterfeit drugs.

“Right now, the findings are suggesting it could potentially be in every illegal drug that is found in the county right now. We can only speculate that maybe because it is cheaper to produce and people are mass producing counterfeit pills,” said opioid public health analyst, Beverly Brown.

Chuck Williamson with Serenity Behavioral Health says the most important thing right now is to educate.

“The street drugs the synthetic stuff, its killing people and we just need to make people aware,” said Williamson. “It’s a big-time issue, we’ve got to take it very seriously and address it. Education, education that’s the main thing.”

That’s why serenity hosted a Fentanyl Awareness Day teaching the community about the dangers surrounding this drug and how to help combat this issue.

One of the main things that can help is having Narcan on hand at all times and knowing how to use it.

You can find free Narcan at the Georgia Department of Public Health in Augusta while supplies are available.

Lifesaving information in the fight against an ever-growing problem.

“At Augusta Recovery Alliance our catch phrase is the best is yet to come, and with the buzz going on for recovery, the best is yet to come,” said Stephens.

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