Murder suspect arrested after SWAT team surrounds Augusta home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re learning new details after authorities apprehended a murder suspect who was holed up for a time in a south Augusta home.

Deputies said the murder case was out of New York, and the suspect was being sought by the U.S. Marshals Service.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) SWAT team and the U.S. Marshals Service surrounded the home in the 2500 block of Smoketree Road.

A Richmond County Sheriff’s Office negotiator, the K-9 unit and the drone response team responded.

Central EMS and Augusta Fire Department personnel staged nearby in accordance with safety protocols, according to the sheriff’s office.

Upon arrival, deputies confirmed that at least two people were inside the home: an adult male and an adult female.

Officials say the female initially exited the home but, upon observing uniformed officers, was instructed to approach them. Instead, she returned inside against law enforcement orders.

Deputies secured the perimeter and advised nearby residents of the situation, requesting that some leave the immediate area for their safety.

An RCSO drone was deployed to monitor the scene and ensure situational awareness, and the roadway was blocked to prevent anyone from entering the potentially dangerous area, the agency says.

No one was injured, but it was tense leading up to the arrests, according to Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Chief Lewis Blanchard.

“We cleared all of the houses in the immediate area, we had a drone go up so we could deploy and make sure we could see all around in every area in case children are coming from school buses or anything like that, we had personnel … making sure nobody was allowed to come into the scene,” he said.

Snipers were also positioned on roofs around the area to assist in the operation.

According to the sheriff’s office, after around 45 minutes of communication, the female agreed to exit the home with her hands up. The male suspect followed close behind.

The male suspect, identified as Tyleek Estella, was taken into custody on warrants from another jurisdiction being served by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the sheriff’s office.

The female was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer for failing to follow lawful verbal commands, the agency says.

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