A violent confrontation between two customers Tuesday morning at an Augusta liquor store have led to murder charges.
Frederick Orlando McNeal, 62, of Augusta, has been charged with murder and weapon possession in the death of 33-year-old Anthony Lee Flowers of Augusta. The incident took place at a liquor store at 2032 Wheeless Road, identified in a sign as “Corner Store” and “Sonny’s Package.”
Witnesses said the fight may have started with a request for a cigarette and a possible slap from Flowers. But authorities say McNeal escalated the violence by entering the store with a Taurus .357 Magnum revolver and firing at Flowers.
The pair then struggled over the weapon and more shots went off. During the struggle, Flowers was shot at least once in the side of his neck.
Flowers was rushed to Augusta University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. Tuesday, Coroner Mark Bowen said.
McNeal has only a minor criminal record in Richmond County, with a DUI in 2017 and a bench warrant in 2012. His new mugshot was not available at the time of this posting.
Greg Rickabaugh is the Jail Report contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at greg.rickabaugh@theaugustapress.com
