Augusta, GA
Man accused of throwing explosive device into downtown Augusta crowd
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A Burke County man is accused of throwing an explosive device into a crowd on Broad Street and is now facing several charges.
It happened amid the extended July Fourth weekend as fireworks are in abundant supply – and in the same place where a shooting on a crowded sidewalk panicked downtown visitors nearly a month ago.
In this latest incident, Davon Reed, 25, is charged with possession of an explosive device to kill or injure and the obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
On July 5 around 1 a.m., while on routine patrol of 10th Street and Jones Street, deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office came in contact with Reed. Deputies observed Reed throwing an explosive device into a crowd of pedestrians at the intersection of Broad Street and 10th Street.
Deputies said there were approximately 20 pedestrians present when Reed shot the explosive device into the crowd.
While deputies attempted to detain Reed, Reed fled from deputies by foot, according to an incident report from The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
According to deputies, they commanded Reed to stop and Reed ignored the commands.
The incident report goes on to say Deputy Nicholas Boyd deployed his county-issued Taser X7, causing one probe to strike Reed in the lower right leg. The other probe did not strike Reed.
After failing to obtain neuromuscular incapacitation, Deputy Boyd then deployed his second taser cartridge. The second taser cartridge did not strike Reed.
While still running, Reed ran into the intersection of 10th Street and Jones Street, where he tripped and fell to the ground.
After falling to the ground, Deputy Boyd was able to handcuff and arrest Reed.
This arrest comes after News 12 received a video of what looks to be people throwing a device with sparks into the street.
News 12 has requested a mug for Reed and will continue to follow this story as more updates come.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
1 dead after shooting on 8th Street in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has died after a shooting on 8th Street in Augusta on Friday, according to authorities.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to the parking lot of El Presidente, located at 2 8th Street, in reference to a shooting at 7:54 p.m.
Deputies say upon arrival, they located a male who had been shot at least one time.
The victim succumbed to his injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies say a subject has been detained.
Investigators say they were still on the scene at 9:11 p.m.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
1 year later, man charged with murder in Louisville fatal shooting
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the death of a 43-year-old man in Louisville back in 2023, according to authorities.
On Aug. 30, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Samuel Dontez Lewis, 36, of Midville.
Authorities say he is charged with the murder of Roosevelt Alexander Jr., the victim who was shot and killed in the early morning hours of June 2, 2023.
Around 2:45 a.m., the Jefferson County 911 center says they received a call for help concerning a man who’d been shot.
Deputies stated they arrived within minutes and discovered the victim dead outside a residence in the 1100 block of Wren Lane.
Lewis was arrested in Palm Beach, Fla. on Wednesday.
He will be extradited from Florida to the Jefferson County Jail at a later date, according to officials.
Anyone with any information related to this homicide is asked to please contact the JCSO Criminal Investigative Division at 478-625-7538 or the GBI Region 7 office at 706-595-2575.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
The October surprise: Harris is navigating a pair of them
With only a month left until Election Day, Vice President Harris is navigating a pair of external challenges in the month of October that pose risk to her campaign.
At home, there’s the recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene — including in the vital swing states of North Carolina and Georgia. And abroad, there’s the real risk of escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The twin crises present a unique challenge for the Biden administration and, by extension, Harris — who is a key part of that team. So her campaign and the White House are pulling out the stops to try to show voters they’re on top of things, even as Harris pushes ahead on the campaign trail.
For Harris, there’s the fear that these “October surprises” go sideways and she gets some blame. In a race this close, every vote matters.
But these kinds of high-profile crises also present an opportunity to demonstrate leadership, said Democratic political strategist Ian Russell.
“What she has to do, and what she is doing, is showing up and showing that she’s engaged, showing that she’s capable of stepping up to the challenges that the country and the world face and I think she’s doing that very well,” Russell said.
How Harris has been responding to these October surprises
Harris took a break from the campaign on Wednesday to visit a Georgia neighborhood ravaged by Hurricane Helene where more than half of residents don’t have power and many don’t have running water.
“The president and I have been paying close attention from the beginning to what we need to do to make sure the federal resources hit the ground as quickly as possible,” Harris said. “That includes what was necessary to make sure that we provided direct federal assistance. And that work has been happening.”
President Biden also surveyed Asheville, N.C., where some of the most severe storm damage occurred, as he and Harris try to reassure voters in the critical state that their administration is up to the task. Harris’ campaign has said she plans to tour storm damage in North Carolina soon, too.
Her opponent, former President Donald Trump, is slated to be it the state on Friday for a town hall.
Another crisis was averted: the economic fallout from a strike
The International Longshoremen’s Association decision to go on strike on Tuesday had been another challenge for Harris, threatening to upend the economy heading into the election.
But on Thursday, the union dockworkers and port operators reached a tentative agreement on wages and agreed to extend their contract to Jan. 15. Harris and Biden had sided firmly with the union, and on Thursday Biden said both sides had acted “patriotically” to reopen the ports to ensure supplies were available for hurricane rebuilding efforts.
Trump sees opportunity in these crises
The Trump campaign is on the lookout for anything they can use against Harris in the closely contested race — including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
On Tuesday, Trump told his supporters that he was the person to take on Iran after it attacked Israel. “We have a nonexistent president and a nonexistent vice president, who should be in charge, but nobody knows what’s going on,” Trump said.
Harris made sure to get out in front of cameras this week to reaffirm her support for Israel. “As I have said, I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias,” she said.
“And let us be clear: Iran is not only a threat to Israel; Iran is also a threat to American personnel in the region, American interests, and innocent civilians across the region who suffer at the hands of Iran-based and -backed terrorist proxies.”
How the White House, Harris and her campaign are able to navigate these “October surprises” is critical in a race this close, with only a month left.
“There’s always going to be something that could go wrong at home or abroad,” Russell said. “And our leaders need to be able to step up and deliver while also being politicians.”
-
Technology2 days ago
Charter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year
-
World2 days ago
Ukrainian stronghold Vuhledar falls to Russian offensive after two years of bombardment
-
World2 days ago
WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed
-
Education1 week ago
Video: Los Angeles Bus Hijacked at Gunpoint
-
Technology1 day ago
Beware of fraudsters posing as government officials trying to steal your cash
-
Politics1 week ago
Secret Service agent accused of sexually assaulting Harris campaign staffer: report
-
Politics1 week ago
DOJ inspector general does not deny FBI informants were among Jan 6 crowd
-
World1 week ago
Putin outlines new rules for Russian use of vast nuclear arsenal