An Augusta man has been arrested in connection with a shooting at the Joiner Crossing Apartments in Grovetown on Tuesday evening, while police continue to search for a second suspect.
Isaiah Bautista, 20, was taken into custody late Tuesday night near Windsor Spring Road and Meadowbrook Drive in Augusta. Grovetown Police Chief Jamey Kitchens confirmed Bautista was still in the vehicle seen fleeing the scene of the shooting. At the time of his arrest, Bautista was carrying a firearm and had multiple outstanding felony warrants from Richmond County and Reidsville, Georgia.
Police are now working to identify a second suspect involved in the shooting. They have released a photo of the individual, seen wearing a chain around his neck, and believe he frequently travels in the Deans Bridge Road and Meadowbrook Road area of Augusta.
After his arrest, Bautista was transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on his existing warrants. Grovetown investigators are expected to file additional charges related to the shooting.
“We’re thankful to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for their help in locating Mr. Bautista, and we continue our efforts to identify the second suspect,” said Chief Kitchens.
The shooting took place just after 5 p.m. Tuesday when two suspects entered an apartment at Joiner Crossing and fired several shots, hitting a male victim in the chest. The victim, who was not a resident of the apartment, was taken to a local hospital. Authorities say the shooting was not random and that the victim and suspects knew each other. An infant was nearby at the time of the shooting, but no one else was injured.
Both suspects were wearing dark hoodies, with one also wearing a mask. After the shooting, the suspects fled on foot and later drove away from the scene in a vehicle.
“We urge the public not to approach the second suspect but to call us immediately if they have any information,” said Chief Kitchens.
Anyone with information about the second suspect is asked to contact the Grovetown Police Department at 706-863-1212 or call 911.
