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‘Wake up’: New details emerge on missing Augusta woman

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‘Wake up’: New details emerge on missing Augusta woman


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re learning new details on a missing Augusta woman who was last seen Wednesday near Diamond Lakes Park, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

The missing person report states around 3:50 p.m., deputies were called to investigate the disappearance of 36-year-old Shekema Toran.

Once on scene, deputies met with Toran’s mother, who said Toran’s boyfriend of two months, Biarritz “Danate” Martin, and Toran were at her Hephzibah home.

After an argument started, Martin left the home after Toran’s mother asked him to leave. He returned two hours later to pick Toran up, according to the report.

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According to her statement, Toran’s mother has not heard from her daughter since and reports receiving texts that “do not sound like her daughter”.

All of her phone calls to her daughter have also gone unanswered.

The report states that deputies contacted Martin’s roommates, who reported that Martin was at the home Tuesday night, but Toran was not with him.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies made multiple attempts to contact Martin, but there was no answer.

After some time, the report states Martin returned the deputy’s call, who asked to speak with Toran multiple times.

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Martin could be heard saying, “Wake up,” and smacking the dash or seat, according to deputies.

This repeated for around 10 minutes before Martin disconnected the call and did not answer on callback.

While deputies continue their search, friends and family were also out looking for Toran on Friday.

“I’m really lost. I don’t know what to do for real,” said Travoun West.

It’s been more than 48 hours since West has heard from his sister.

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“We really just want my sister to come home. If anybody knows anything, really just say something for real. Bring my sister home,” said West.

Judge Robert Reeves

West and other volunteers have been searching to find Toran, looking through the woods, knocking on doors and tracking her pin locations.

“We got to apply a little pressure as the people as the community because where there is a community there are people and we got power so it’s gonna take us to come together collectively to bring this baby home,” said a search volunteer, Ray Montana.

Home for Toran is two hours away from where her phone was last pinned in Atlanta.

But Montana says they will continue searching until they have answers.

“We not gonna rest until we find her and keep applying pressure. Hopefully, Richmond County will find the man,” said Montana.

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She’s believed to be in a white 2004 Ford F-250 with Georgia tag RJW1158. They are believed to be heading to the Atlanta area, where the vehicle was last seen Wednesday.

Authorities released a photo of Toran and said she’s 6 feet tall and weighs 215 pounds.

Deputies also released a photo of Martin and said he’s 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 160 pounds.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

The family will continue their search Saturday morning, starting at 9 a.m.

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To join the search, you can message Ray Montana on Facebook.



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Augusta, GA

Multiple teens arrested in deadly shooting on Warren Road

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Multiple teens arrested in deadly shooting on Warren Road


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.

According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.

When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.

Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.

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Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.

As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.

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A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.

No further details in the investigation have been released.



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Augusta, GA

Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students

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Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.

12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.

Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.

“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.

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The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.



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10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat

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10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.

Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.

Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.

“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.

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The festival runs until 10 p.m.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.



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