Augusta, GA

Shootings at store draw a call for action from Augusta leader

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2024

Shootings at store draw a call for action from Augusta leader

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta Commission member wants to deal with a convenience store that seems to be a magnet for gunfire and murders.

Catherine Smith McKnight wants to consider beefing up security or closing down the Smart Grocery at 3221 Wrightsboro Road due to the number of shootings happening around there.

It’s a matter she brought up at Tuesday’s meeting of the commission.

The store has been the site of at least nine shootings in recent years, at least two of them fatal, including one on Dec. 11 claimed the life of Jeremiah Griffin, 32, of the 300 block of Fox Trace.

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McKnight’s matter is being moved to the next committee meeting of the commission so the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the store owner can speak.

Through McKnight’s communication with her district, she told News 12 it could be an issue of staffing deputies around the area, and that the owner has reached out to the sheriff’s agency for an added officer that he would pay for.

Another store in the Glendale neighborhood near the Olive Road bridge will also be discussed due to the number of shootings that also happen around here.

Smart Grocery has had a high profile in the news for all the wrong reasons.

It doesn’t help that it’s near some apartment complexes that have been trouble spots for crime, including the one where Griffin lived.

In fact, one of the complexes – formerly known as Fox Den – had such a problem with drugs and other crime that the owner set up a mobile security tower with bright lights, cameras and a siren.

At least some of the violence from the apartments has spilled over to Smart Grocery in recent years, leading Smith McKnight to wonder at what point it becomes a public safety problem.

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

In July, 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.

Last year, commissioners vowed to bring more funding to fight crime in the area.

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Augusta, GA

Event at Skateland Augusta draws 22 clubs from across the country

Published

10 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Press Room

Event at Skateland Augusta draws 22 clubs from across the country

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Skaters from the CSRA and beyond are competing in the inaugural Presidents Day Artistic Roller Skating Meet at Skateland Augusta.

The event started Sunday and runs through Tuesday. 22 skating clubs from across the country are competing in figures, spins, jumps, dance and show categories.

The competition is open to all ages, with competitors ranging in age from 5 to 67.

Ansley Marshall, a creative solo competitor, said she enjoys testing her abilities against other skaters.

“I like to push myself to be the best I can be and to test my talents against other people,” Marshall said. “It helps me push myself harder and you sort of feel the recognition of how far I’ve come and see my progress and stuff.”

Spectator tickets for Tuesday’s final day of competitions are $5 per person at Skateland Augusta.

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Augusta, GA

Man wanted in shooting that injured woman in Augusta

Published

22 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Man wanted in shooting that injured woman in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man is wanted in connection to a shooting that injured a woman, according to officials.

Timothy Erving Barnes, 38, is wanted for aggravated assault after a shooting that happened on Feb. 4 on the 2500 block of Kensington Drive East.

Timothy Erving Barnes(Richmond County Sheriff’s Office)

According to the incident report, witnesses told deputies they were sitting in front of a home on Evangelina Drive inside of a car when an unknown man approached the vehicle.

Witnesses then told deputies the man pulled out a firearm and began to back away, according to the report.

The witnesses stated they pulled away from the home and then shortly returned. The man then began shooting at the witnesses’ car, according to the report.

Deputies say one of the witnesses state a bullet struck the vehicle and grazed her.

EMS responded to the scene and treated the witness on scene for her injuries.

Deputies say Barnes is known to frequent the areas of Georgetown, Meadowbrook, Belfair Lakes and 12th Street in Augusta.

Barnes is to be considered armed and dangerous, according to the sheriff’s office.

He is 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

If anyone has any information, call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

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Augusta, GA

Multiple crashes occur across Richmond and Aiken Counties during rainy day

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Multiple crashes occur across Richmond and Aiken Counties during rainy day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple traffic accidents across Richmond and Aiken Counties, including multiple on I-20, backed up traffic on a rainy Sunday.

In Georgia, two wrecks occurred westbound on I-20 around 2:30 p.m. One of them involved a Richmond County deputy who was working another accident between the Washington Road and Riverwatch Parkway exits when a car lost control and rear-ended the deputy’s car.

The deputy was in the driver’s seat of his stationary patrol car in the left lane when he was hit, authorities say.

One of them involved a Richmond County deputy who was working an accident between the Washington Road and Riverwatch Parkway exits when a car lost control and rear-ended the deputy’s car.(staff)

The deputy was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, officials say.

The left lane was blocked for around an hour.

Georgia State Patrol worked this incident. The scene cleared shortly after 3:30 p.m.

In South Carolina, one accident happened at mile marker 2 on I-20, going westbound.

A car flipped over as a result of the accident. This accident also backed up traffic, and the scene was cleared around 3:04 p.m., our crews said.