Augusta man kills wife after a decade of abuse & stalking charges

An Augusta man killed his wife Wednesday night in the final chapter in a decade-old story of abuse and a justice system that let him off easy every time.

Shawn Gunn, 52, allegedly killed his wife, 48-year-old Commen Gunn, in a residence on the 200 block of Brandywine Place, authorities said. There are unconfirmed reports that he killed her in front of a child.

The GBI is investigating the case after deputies shot the suspect, and he is in the hospital after a standoff that started with reports of gunfire.

“When deputies arrived on scene, they attempted to engage with the male subject located inside of the residence so that he could come outside to speak with them,” sheriff’s Lt. Kimberly Lee said. “The male subject refused and later shot at deputies. Deputies returned fire striking the male subject at least one time. The male subject was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.”

Upon entering the home, the victim was found deceased. The GBI was requested to assist with the investigation.

The murder comes less than a year after the suspect kicked in his wife’s door and violated a restraining order, sending him to jail for aggravated stalking and criminal trespass. Superior Court Judge Jesse C. Stone have him 75 days and probation. The maximum sentence for aggravated stalking is 10 years.

And that 2022 conviction came three years after he was accused of the same crime against Mrs. Gunn in a case that was never resolved, according to online court records.

In that March 2019 case, a judge had ordered Mr. Gunn to maintain a distance of 300 yards from Mrs. Gunn, but he showed up at her home on Pennsylvania Avenue and would not leave.

“He began to curse at her and in front of their minor child and refused to vacate the premises,” a report says.

Deputies found the suspect reeking of alcohol and claiming he was invited over to go over bills. An aggravated stalking arrest followed.

The suspect is the same man with a history of domestic violence charges in Richmond County dating back to 2014.

A 2014 charge for domestic violence was dismissed after lingering for four years.  While it lingered, he was arrested in June 2015 for domestic battery, which was bumped down to disorderly conduct. A judge ordered fines and community service. A October 2015 trespassing charge simply ended in fees.

Still, the victim reportedly continued to take her husband back, according to relatives. In several Facebook photos alongside her husband this year, they are shown in loving poses.

But a family member went on Facebook live early Thursday to say she had warned the victim about taking Mr. Gunn back. The relative identified herself as Aunt Josie Dean.

“I been preaching, and preaching, and preaching, and preaching that these men will kill y’all,” she said. “People make their choices, and sometimes our choices give death.”