Augusta, GA
Troubling trend: Augusta on track for rise in murder rate
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Since June 1, six people have been killed in Richmond County, and two of the victims were just 15 years old.
It’s been one week since the last deadly shooting, on Aiken Street, and the homicide numbers are rising at a dangerous rate.
If trends continue, we’ll be on track for more deaths by this time last year.
DEVELOPING STORY:
- Hallie Turner is looking at the homicide numbers in Augusta and talking to people who’ve been affected. Watch for updates here on WRDW.com and on News 12.
Several people told News 12 gunshots are becoming so common to hear in Augusta, they fear if they leave their home to go anywhere, they may not return.
By the end July of last year, 21 people had been killed in the year in Richmond County.
This year, we’re only halfway through July and are already at 22 for the year.
Overall, the stats are part of a surge in deadly crime across the CSRA that′s claimed more than 100 lives since April 2022.
One man says constantly looking over his shoulder is his new norm.
Gunshots aren’t coming at a specific time anymore or for a specific reason.
He feels they just happen, sending everyone around into a panic.
It’s something he witnessed firsthand recently.
“I was downtown on Broad Street, someone screams gun, we get a horde of people, you know, coming from the west side of Broad Street, just running on down. And next thing you hear, hear some shots,” Santiago said. “And it was moments after – too many moments if you ask me – then you hear the sirens. “
Another person had become a victim of gun violence.
“Next morning, I see in the news: Breaking news, 15-year-old shot and killed,” Santiago said.
He says talking about gun violence is never going to be enough, but doing something about it together will. If nothing’s done, the same cycle will continue.
“There has been a stigma, you know, with, with violence downtown. It’s not safe, especially at night,” Santiago said. “But honestly, and especially in America today, it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s going to happen.”
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
WATCH: Gun comes out during fight at Butler High, video shows
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A weapon was seized by school administrators after the apparent gun fell to the floor during a fight between students Tuesday at Butler High School.
Parents were told of the incident in a letter.
“Two students engaged in a fight in a classroom today during a class,” the letter stated. “During the altercation, students saw a weapon drop to the floor.”
The Richmond County School System didn’t address what kind of weapon it was, but a video on Facebook showed what appeared to be a gun.
Administrators and Richmond County School System police responded immediately and secured the school for about 45 minutes while police investigated, parents were told.
The student was taken into custody and the incident was addressed following the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Police arrest suspect in Grovetown apartment complex shooting
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A suspect has been arrested in connection to an apartment complex shooting in Grovetown, officials announced Wednesday morning.
Isaiah Bautista, 20, of Augusta, was located near Windsor Spring Road and Meadowbrook Drive, still riding in the suspect vehicle that was observed fleeing the scene of the earlier shooting, Grovetown Police Department says.
Bautista had a firearm at the time of his arrest and had multiple outstanding felony warrants through both Richmond County and Reidsville, Ga., police say.
Bautista was transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on the outstanding warrants. Additional warrants will be secured by Grovetown Investigators for his charges regarding tonight’s shooting.
This investigation continues as investigators are working to identify the second suspect.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office assisted in apprehending Bautista.
The Grovetown Police Department says they received a 911 call Tuesday at 5:02 p.m. about a shooting at the 1000 block of Joiner Circle in Joiner Crossing Apartments in Grovetown.
Police Chief Jamey Kitchens told us he was on the scene around 5:34 p.m.
When officers arrived they discovered a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper chest.
Officials say the victim was conscious when they arrived and is in a local hospital in surgery. He does not appear to have life-threatening injuries.
He tells us two unknown males entered the apartment, and one of the suspects fired several rounds hitting the victim once.
Officials used local cameras and doorbell cameras to capture the suspects fleeing on foot to a nearby vehicle and exiting the complex.
One of the suspects was wearing a mask and both were wearing dark-colored hoodies.
Multiple people were in the home at the time, including an infant who was within a few feet of the victim when he was shot. No other parties were injured.
They have a loose vehicle description and several leads are being pursued, according to Kitchens.
The victim was not a resident of the home where the incident occurred.
Kitchens wants the community to know that there is no danger to the community and that this appears to be a targeted attack.
A witness said she saw 17 police cars on the scene around 6 p.m. and that it appeared officers were searching up and down some nearby railroad tracks.
Police were clustered around one apartment in particular. The door was open and crime scene tape hung outside the entry.
Around 6:30 p.m., police brought out a child car seat and a diaper bag. The significance of those items wasn’t clear.
The incident comes amid an outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed about 200 lives in nearly three years across the CSRA.
The crime outbreak has affected communities large and small, but as the biggest city in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.
Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.
We are working to learn more information about the incident.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Police respond to shooting at Grovetown apartment complex
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Law enforcement officials are on the scene of a shooting incident at an apartment complex, according to the Grovetown Police Department.
No one was killed, and the victim was a male, according to authorities.
Officials say they responded Tuesday afternoon to Joiner Crossing Apartments in Grovetown.
Police Chief Jamey Kitchens told us he was on the scene around 5:34 p.m.
Kitchens says it appears the victim was upstairs on the balcony of the apartment and went inside after he was shot.
Several other people were inside the apartment – including an infant, according to Kitchens.
He tells us two unknown males entered the apartment, went upstairs and began shooting.
Through the use of local cameras and doorbell cameras, officials say they were able to see that the suspects left in a vehicle.
They have a loose vehicle description and are trying to run down leads, according to Kitchens.
Officials say the victim is in a local hospital in surgery and does not appear to have life-threatening injuries.
Kitchens wants the community to know that there is no danger to the community and this appears to be a targeted attack.
A witness said she saw 17 police cars on the scene around 6 p.m. and that it appeared officers were searching up and down some nearby railroad tracks.
Police were clustered around one apartment in particular. The door was open and crime scene tape hung outside the entry.
Around 6:30 p.m., police brought out a child car seat and a diaper bag. The significance of those items wasn’t clear.
The incident comes amid an outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed about 200 lives in nearly three years across the CSRA.
The crime outbreak has affected communities large and small, but as the biggest city in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.
Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.
We are working to learn more information about the incident.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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