Two Augusta men are accused of dumping the body of a shooting victim Friday on Wade Road and then burning evidence of the crime.
Mario Velasquez, 23, has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence in the death of the victim, whose name has not been released. Rigoberto Fortin Padilla, 21, is wanted for murder and weapon possession.
The two suspects and the victim were riding on Interstate 20 on Friday morning when Padilla grabbed a gun from the victim, leading to a fight over the weapon. Padilla shot the victim during the struggle, according to authorities.
Velasquez kept driving for a few hours before pulling up to Wade Road, a dirt road off Milledgeville Road in Augusta. Padilla dumped the victim’s body on the side of the road and Velasquez called 911.
Velasquez then drove back to his home on Rose Lane and tried to clean up the vehicle and start a fire in the back yard to set fire to the evidence. Padilla was last seen on foot leaving Wade Road, authorities said. He should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS, according to a Wanted Poster.
If you know of Padilla’s location, please contact Inv. Sean Morrow, or any Violent Crimes Investigator at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office: (706) 432-5281 or (706) 821-1080.
