AUGUSTA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a shooting involving off-duty Georgia deputies near local restaurant.

Release:

At the request of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, GBI agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Augusta. The man involved in the incident has not been identified. No officers were injured in this incident.

Preliminary information indicates that during the early hours of Saturday, June 8, 2024, three Richmond County deputies were working off-duty jobs at the Sole’ restaurant located at 1033 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia. This area of Broad Street had heavy pedestrian traffic due to the many bars and restaurants in the area. At about 1:15 a.m., the deputies heard multiple gunshots. The deputies responded to the gunshots and encountered a man outside of the restaurant holding an assault pistol. Two of the three deputies shot at the suspect, hitting the suspect at least once. Two other bystanders were also hit by gunfire and sustained gunshot wounds. The suspect, along with the two bystanders, were taken to a local hospital and treated for their gunshot wounds.

After further investigation, it was revealed the gunfire outside of the restaurant was between the suspect and multiple other unidentified individuals, and this gunfight covered an area of two to three blocks. At this time, it is not yet known what started the fight which led to the gunfight. Multiple weapons were recovered in the crime scene as well as other evidence of the crime including seven vehicles that were hit by gunfire. Several businesses in the area suffered damage from the many gunshots that were fired during the incident. 

The suspect that was shot by the Richmond County Deputies is currently in custody and has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.          

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Augusta District Attorney’s Office for review.