Augusta, GA
SWAT team responds to 2 calls in less than 3 hours
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to two separate calls in less than three hours on Tuesday.
Hay Meadow Drive
Along with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT BearCat Unit, Richmond County’s SWAT team responded to the 800 block of Hay Meadow Drive in Sims Place Neighborhood at 10:40 p.m.
Deputies say the call originally came in as a domestic incident involving a firearm.
A woman involved was able to escape the residence and leave the area safely, according to deputies.
Officials say the male suspect barricaded himself inside the home with multiple firearms, refused to exit and made threats toward law enforcement officers.
Nearby residences were cleared and residents were asked to temporarily shelter elsewhere for safety reasons.
All entrances to the area were blocked to vehicle and pedestrian traffic until 12:15 a.m. Wednesday
Officials say a trained negotiator communicated with the suspect and remained on the phone with him for one hour.
Deputies say a gunshot was then heard from inside the residence. The SWAT team made entry into the home, where the suspect was located and observed with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office says Rafael Moreno, 35, was taken to Wellstar MCG, where he was pronounced dead at 2:09 a.m.
An autopsy has been scheduled.
The area was reopened around 12:32 a.m. Wednesday morning. The scene was completely cleared at 4:01 a.m.
Fox Hall Circle
A man accused of threatening to kill deputies was taken into custody after firing shots into the air during a standoff Tuesday night, authorities said.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) deputies responded about 9 p.m. to reports of shots fired in the 2900 block of Fox Hall Circle.
When deputies arrived, the man came outside the home and allegedly fired multiple rounds into the air, officials said.
According to the agency, during initial phone contact, he threatened to kill deputies.
The RCSO SWAT team was activated and assisted by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) SWAT BearCat armored vehicle team.
“This marks the third SWAT call out in the past week, and each incident has ended peacefully due to the specialized training and equipment that our teams have worked hard to put in place. The immediate response by our deputies and the cooperation from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, supported by our mutual aid agreements, have been essential in ensuring safe outcomes. We are very grateful for the strong partnership between our agencies and the commitment of every deputy involved,” said Sheriff Eugene Brantley.
A drone team provided aerial overwatch while deputies notified nearby residents and advised them to seek shelter or stay in place, authorities said.
After a standoff and with assistance from a neighbor who communicated with an RCSO negotiator, the man exited the home unarmed and was taken into custody, officials said.
Deputies secured the home to ensure no other individuals were inside.
Investigators are obtaining warrants after observing a large number of weapons in plain view, authorities said.
The man was transported to a hospital for evaluation before being taken to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
The scene was cleared around 10:30 p.m.
The sheriff’s office says more information will be provided regarding charges when available.
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Two Augusta-area Walmarts are among 13 Georgia locations that the retail giant plans to remodel and modernize in 2026.
In the past five years, the company said it has spent $961.5 million to upgrade its stores statewide.
Now, the company plans to change store layouts and services in its Augusta and Grovetown locations to make shopping faster and more convenient.
The locations are the Augusta Walmart Supercenter at 3338 Wrightsboro Road, near Augusta Mall, and the Grovetown Walmart Neighborhood Market at 5303-A Wrightsboro Road, where Wrightsboro and Harlem-Grovetown roads meet.
The Augusta location has been undergoing renovations since last fall.
The stores, when completely renovated, will include updated pharmacies offering vaccines, free delivery and clinical services such as basic health screenings and same-day testing for strep, the flu and COVID-19. Vision Centers also will be redesigned for improved privacy.
Also, computer apps will help customers better navigate stores, scan products’ prices and find exclusive app-only shopping deals.
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Sunday, April 19, 2026. Mr. James Byron Duncan, 80, was the loving husband of Estelle Mulherin Duncan as well as devoted father, doting grandfather, and lifelong friend to many.
Byron was born and raised in Augusta, GA, the son of W.B. and Kathleen Duncan. After graduating from Butler High School in 1965, Byron’s kind heart called him into Social Work. He earned his Bachelor of Sociology from Augusta College in 1969. After 34 years of dedicated service to the State of Georgia, Byron retired in 2003 as Director of Jefferson County Family and Children Services. He devoted his life wholeheartedly to both service to others and dedication to his family, working in the tough field of social work while remaining a fiercely loving, spirited and unwaveringly passionate man.
His deepest commitments were to his wife, children, granddaughters, siblings, church, the Knights of Columbus and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Byron was deeply rooted in his faith and community. He was an active member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, where he had served as an usher, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and finance committee member. He was also a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, Patrick Walsh Council 677 and Assembly 174, the Irish American Heritage Society and the Rotary Club of Louisville, GA. A true Georgia Bulldog at heart, Byron never missed an opportunity to cheer for his Dawgs, whether they were playing football, basketball, baseball or any other sport. He loved the simple joys of life – days at the beach, Jimmy Buffett, beach music and shagging, and a house full of family and friends. For many years, Byron delighted young and old alike by donning the red suit and playing Santa Claus at various events as well as visiting the classrooms at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School as St. Nicholas.
Byron possessed the gift of gab! He never met a stranger and could often be observed enthusiastically carrying on a deep conversation with old friends or a stranger he just met on the street. No conversation with him was brief!
Family meant everything to him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Estelle Mulherin Duncan; his children Sean M. Duncan (Jennifer), Matthew M. Duncan and Megan E. Duncan; his bonus daughter, Allison Crow (Joe), and his treasured grandchildren Riley, Emma and Harper Duncan, who brought him endless joy. He is also survived by his brother Keith Duncan; sisters Sheryl Werrick and Marcia Golden; brothers-in-law Dr. Joe Mulherin, Robert Gibson and Tom King; sister-in-law Janet M. Gibson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Ross as celebrant. Interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park. A Rosary service will be held Thursday evening at 6:00 P.M., followed by visitation from 6:30 until 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son.
Memorial contributions may be made to Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 or St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 for the Our Faith Our Future Capital Campaign.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907, (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at thomaspoteet.com
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Georgia Gubernational candidate Geoff Duncan made another appearance in Augusta on Monday, speaking at the IBEW Local 1579 on Reynolds Street.
Duncan is one of the three candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Duncan said when he served as lieutenant governor of the state, he fought to expand access to health care in rural communities. He said if he’s elected, he’ll focus on lowering costs in other areas.
Duncan stopped by NewsChannel 6 ahead of the campaign stop to speak about his plans.
“Look, 90% of Georgians know what they’re talking about when they want to pass commonsense gun legislation like universal background checks, red flag laws, and in-home safe storage laws. As governor, I want to lead the charge, and I want to give political cover to those Republicans that want to do the right thing, build those consensus around those bills,” Duncan said. “I hope to get some of them the cosign that legislation. Because it meets people where they’re at. It’s common sense. Look, I don’t want anybody to ever walk by a television screen and make another excuse for a mass shooting when it could have been stopped. With just common sense laws that are on the books.”
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
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