An Augusta man who was allegedly sought in the drive-by shootings at Dogwood Terrace that killed an 8-year-old and wounded two teens was denied bond Friday, July 1.
Antionous Thomas, 20, has pleaded not guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to the charges lodged against him and five others in a 23-count indictment. At the conclusion of his bond hearing Friday, Judge Jesse Stone denied bond for Thomas based on his potential danger to the community.
District Attorney Jared Williams told the judge Friday that Thomas is a member of the gang Loyalty Over Everything that has been feuding with members of a second gang centered on Dogwood Terrace. As The Augusta Press has previously reported, the rival gang is sometimes called the Bolt Alley Boyz, according to the sheriff’s office.
Thomas wanted payback because he was jumped by a member of the rival gang when he found himself on foot in the public housing complex off Old Savannah Road, Williams said.
The prosecutor said Thomas sought permission for payback from LOE leader Kendariss L. Brown, 31, which was granted. On Jan. 6, LOE members randomly fired on people in Dogwood Terrace, and two innocent teens, ages 16 and 14, were wounded, Williams said.
The LOE members returned to Dogwood Terrace two days later and again randomly fired at people, Williams said. This time, Arbrie Anthony, an 8-year-old straight A student living with her father in the housing complex, was killed when a bullet pierced the back of her head, Williams said.
In addition to Thomas and Brown, Richmond County Sheriff investigators arrested Michael A. Freeman, 39, Antoine R. Redfield, 22, and Destiny Rich, 22. They have each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the time of the drive-by shootings, Redfield had been out of jail for less than two months. He had been held without bond in connection with the fatal shootings Dec. 7, 2019, of his friend, 23-year-old Jabrie Dominguez, and Charles E. Lawson III, 28, at the Private I Sports Entertainment Complex.
The district attorney’s office dropped murder charges against Redfield and a second man, Charvez Lawson, Nov. 16 because, according to the motion to dismiss, it could not disprove that the men fired at each other in self-defense. Sheriff officers believed that shooting was spurred by the opposing LOE and Bolt Alley Boyz gangs.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
