Deputy-involved shooting in downtown Augusta leaves three injured

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree confirmed Saturday that around 1:13 a.m., special deputies working at a nightclub in the 1000 block of Broad Street heard what sounded like several gunshots coming from outside the company.

The sheriff said deputies immediately responded to an area near 10th and Broad streets and found what appeared to be at least two men exchanging gunfire in the middle of a crowded sidewalk. One of the suspects fired an assault weapon into a crowd of bystanders and police officers shot him. He was taken into custody and then transferred to hospital for treatment.

Besides the suspect, two bystanders were shot but not life-threatening, Roundtree said.

No information about the identity of the suspect or whether the assault weapon was legally purchased has been released.

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The sheriff has not confirmed at which business the shooting occurred. Social media chatter has featured a popular restaurant and bar on Broad Street, and signs have been seen covering the windows of the place. Company management could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday.

The investigation is still ongoing and has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation.

Roundtree said there was an increased presence of deputies downtown at that time and he tried to reassure residents who might be afraid.

“Downtown is one of the safest places in Richmond County,” he said.

Mayor Garnett Johnson and Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson, whose district encompasses downtown, agreed that downtown is safe. However, they are also concerned about the violence that occurs late at night and early in the morning. They said they intend to discuss the matter with commissioners at a later date.

Lina Portman

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