Augusta, GA

Murder-suicides take grim toll: 4 lives in 14 hours

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2024

Murder-suicides take grim toll: 4 lives in 14 hours

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – Community members are looking for answers after murder-suicides in Augusta and Aiken claimed four lives in 14 hours.

What do these cases have in common and what lessons do they hold?

The Aiken murder-suicide unfolded just before 11 a.m. Monday at the Murphy USA gas station at 3575 W. Richland Ave. – a sad echo of another murder-suicide the night before on Holden Drive in Augusta.

The victim was identified as 43-year-old Tiffany Britt, and the shooter was her husband, 55-year-old George Britt. They were from Augusta.

In Aiken, witnesses said a man approached a woman, and they were yelling.

“I looked at her and I could see that she knew that … she knew that this was it for her,” said Gloria Smith, a witness. “She didn’t try to put up a fight no more. She didn’t – she just didn’t do nothing.”

The witness said she and others were at the gas pumps while the incident unfolded.

“I told everybody that we need to move back because it was like three other gentlemen and I said we need to move back because he has a gun in his pocket and it’s right at her stomach,” said Smith.

The man was asking her something.

“All she could say was, ‘I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know what you’re talking about,’” said Smith.

The witness heard the police sirens after she called 911.

“And then the next thing you know, I heard him say, ‘All right,’ and then he shot her,” said Smith.

An off-duty deputy was getting gas when he saw what was happening and tried to intervene.

“He was getting ready to run, but that gentleman caught him and they was tussling and gunshots were just going off – about 12 of them just going off, then all of a sudden, it stopped,” said Smith. “Then the next gunshot you heard was him shooting himself in the head.”

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“I’m emotionally all over the place,” said Smith. “I want to cry now, but I’m doing everything I can not to.”

The shooter died on the scene and the victim died at Aiken Regional Medical Center, according to Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables.

They will be autopsied Wednesday in Newberry, according to Ables.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is handling the investigation.

In Augusta, 41-year-old Rebecca Williams was fatally shot Sunday night by her husband, Michael Williams, 43, who then killed himself, according to authorities. That incident happened around 9 p.m. at their home in the 1200 block of Holden Drive.

Both were pronounced dead at 9:50 p.m.

Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen said autopsies have been scheduled.

In Augusta, 41-year-old Rebecca Williams was fatally shot Sunday night by her husband, Michael Williams, 43, who then killed himself, according to authorities. That incident happened around 9 p.m. at their home in the 1200 block of Holden Drive.(WRDW/WAGT)

The murder-suicides are among about 600 that happen every year in the U.S.

A 2022 analysis published by the FBI found 65% of murder-suicides involve intimate partners, and 81% happen in the home. When partners are involved, more than half of the killers have a history of domestic conflict.

Most murder-suicides involve one killer and one victim, but not always, according to the analysis. Children are sometimes victims, but most are adults.

Guns are the main weapon used.

Beyond that, there are other patterns, according to the FBI.

Murder-suicides are overwhelmingly carried out by white men, especially older ones. From 2003 to 2005, statistics show 91.4% of murder-suicides were committed by males, 97.6% were committed by people over age 19 and 77% were committed by people identified as white.

Experts aren’t sure whether the main goal is murder, suicide or something else, but these factors are often at play:

A negative dynamic like abuse, infidelity or a perceived injustice in the relationship between the killer and victim.
A sense of obligation toward the victim, like protecting them from the stigma or shame of a planned suicide or the hurtful consequences of something the killer has done.
The killer’s intent to relieve the victim of suffering due to illness or disability.

As for how to prevent murder-suicides, the FBI has no clear answer. But one approach may be to take some cues from efforts to prevent suicide.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta church delivers 730 free Thanksgiving meals to homebound residents

Published

7 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Augusta church delivers 730 free Thanksgiving meals to homebound residents

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than 700 people enjoyed a free Thanksgiving meal in the comfort of their own homes Thursday.

The Vineyard Church of Augusta delivered 730 hot meals to people in local public housing communities as part of their “Dinner of Love” program.

The initiative targets those who are sick and shut-in and the elderly.

Pastor Mary Margarey Leroy said the church works with the Augusta Housing Authority to identify people in need.

“Oh my goodness it’s why we breath it’s our whole reason of why we exist is to serve others you know we’re a faith-based organization we’re a church so you know Jesus is our model and he said ‘I came to serve and not to be served’ and that is that’s our life blood,” Leroy said.

The church also distributed 275 Thanksgiving meal kits last Saturday.

Vineyard Church of Augusta operates a food pantry that is open Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Augusta, GA

Customers shop Black Friday deals at stores in Augusta

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Customers shop Black Friday deals at stores in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Black Friday is here, and customers are ready to shop some big sales.

We visited several big stores across the Augusta area, where large groups of people were lining up to shop sales.

Santa even made an appearance at Cabela’s in Augusta.

Santa with News 12’s Cameron Jacobs and Israel Butler(WRDW)

How to stay safe while shopping

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says it’s going to have deputies all over the county and around businesses.

But they are urging you to make sure you, your car and your items are all secure and away from potential dangers.

“Make sure if you’re going in, you’re buying packages, you’ve got bags. I would think about trying to get these packages and these items home as soon as possible. I wouldn’t leave them in the trunk of my vehicle. I definitely wouldn’t leave them in plain view inside my vehicle,” said Col. Bo Johnson with the sheriff’s office.

Johnson says for those who wear purses or other bags, make sure they’re in front of you at all times, not just on your shoulder.

Also remember to be aware of your surroundings when walking to and from a store and when on the roads.

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Augusta, GA

Volunteers ensure no one goes hungry on Thanksgiving at Augusta Salvation Army

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Volunteers ensure no one goes hungry on Thanksgiving at Augusta Salvation Army

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army of Augusta held its annual free Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, with volunteers taking time away from their families to serve those in need.

The organization estimated serving nearly 200 plates during the event, which brought together volunteers and community members in the Salvation Army dining hall.

Volunteers give back to community

Samuel Quiroz, a chef who volunteered for the event, said the opportunity to give back was a blessing.

“I’m a chef and a chef always has somewhere to go on Thanksgiving, so I called around and the Salvation Army always needs some help, so I gave my time,” Quiroz said.

Randall Mathis, a military veteran who volunteered, said the experience was an extension of his service.

“I was in the military and I’ve always volunteered, so it was just an extension of my military service,” Mathis said. “It’s the best feeling in the world for giving back and meeting people of their needs.”

Personal connection drives service

Bobby Johnson, the Salvation Army’s lead cook, said his own experience receiving help motivated him to serve others.

“At one point, I have been out there in that line, like 30 something years ago, getting that meal too. When I saw the opportunity, I wanted to take it and you know, give back,” Johnson said.

Johnson credited the volunteers for making the dinner possible.

“They are the one that actually makes this what it is because they come in and they willing to give their time and their service for nothing,” Johnson said.

Community spirit on display

Quiroz said the event embodied the spirit of Thanksgiving through community service.

“Thanksgiving is about having a sense of community coming together and appreciating what we do have and what I had and what these people had today was some time to make sure people had some food on their bellies, which is a luxury I feel like a lot of people take advantage of these days,” Quiroz said.

Mathis expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, saying “Thank God for an opportunity to serve.”

The Salvation Army continues to seek volunteers and donations as the holiday season approaches to ensure community needs are met.

To donate or find ways to volunteer, visit their website.

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