Amazing Lee Blessed Brigham : “Second Suspect Arrested in Augusta Shooting”

Second suspect apprehended in connection with downtown Augusta shooting

A second suspect has been taken into custody in relation to the recent shooting incident in the heart of Augusta, Georgia, as confirmed by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

identified as Seven D. Whitfield, aged 23, the individual was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, along with one count of possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, as per jail records.

Another individual involved in the incident, Amazing Lee Blessed Brigham, aged 19 and hailing from Hephzibah, faces four counts of aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to jail records.

Initial reports from News 12 had already mentioned Brigham’s name after family members shared that he had sustained injuries during the shooting. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) later confirmed his involvement as a suspect.

The Incident

The shooting took place around 1:15 a.m. on a Saturday at the intersection of 10th and Broad streets in downtown Augusta. Three off-duty Richmond County deputies were present at the restaurant Sole when they heard multiple gunshots.

Upon arriving at the scene, the deputies encountered an individual brandishing an assault pistol outside the restaurant. Subsequently, two of the deputies opened fire on the suspect, resulting in at least one gunshot wound.

GBI revealed that two bystanders were also struck by gunfire during the incident. The suspect, along with the injured bystanders, were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Further investigations unveiled that the gunfire exchange outside the restaurant involved the suspect and several unidentified individuals. The altercation spanned across a two to three-block radius.

Multiple firearms were recovered at the crime scene, along with other evidence such as bullet-ridden vehicles and damaged storefronts.

No Fatalities Reported

Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded in the aftermath of the incident. However, three individuals, including the suspect who was shot by deputies, sustained injuries. Officials confirmed that the injuries were non-life-threatening and all three victims were in stable condition by Saturday afternoon.

A young woman shared that her two brothers, Seven Whitfield and Amazing Brigham, were among those injured. Whitfield was discharged from the hospital and is not considered a suspect, according to the woman. Brigham’s mother expressed relief upon hearing that her son was in stable condition.

Mayor Garnett Johnson praised the swift response of the deputies, highlighting their heroic actions in neutralizing a heavily armed individual. He condemned the act of violence as a reckless disregard for public safety, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures in Richmond County.

Ongoing Investigation

The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave, a standard protocol following such incidents. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is collaborating on the case, a routine procedure for officer-involved shootings.

Sheriff Roundtree urged members of the public with any information or video footage related to the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.

Public Safety Measures

Despite the recent incident, Mayor Johnson assured the public that downtown Augusta remains overwhelmingly safe. He reached out to Governor Brian Kemp for additional resources to bolster law enforcement presence in the area, especially during late-night hours.

Augusta Commission member Jordan Johnson echoed the sentiment that downtown is safe, but emphasized the need to address instances of lawlessness and criminal activity. State resources from the Georgia State Patrol and Department of Natural Resources have been deployed to enhance security measures in the downtown district.

Impact on Business

Local business owners expressed concerns about safety in downtown Augusta following the shooting. Mayor Johnson pledged to address these concerns and ensure a secure environment for businesses and patrons.

Although foot traffic in downtown Augusta appeared to return to normal levels after the incident, some business owners reported a slight dip in customer turnout. The shooting incident has sparked discussions about the reputation of downtown Augusta and the need for enhanced security measures.

Conclusion

While the recent shooting incident in downtown Augusta did not meet the criteria for a mass shooting, authorities acknowledged the potential for a more catastrophic outcome. Efforts to enhance public safety and security in the area are being ramped up to prevent future incidents and reassure residents and visitors.