North Augusta’s mayor used the Dec. 13 study session to publicly thank all the agencies involved in the Georgia Avenue shoot out on Dec. 9.
Mayor Briton Williams, speaking first about the North Augusta Department of Public Safety, said the department is made up of men and women who love their community. Williams pointed out no civilians were injured or killed and credited the restraint shown by officers.
“We all know what amazing city we live in. It became clear to me after last Thursday when I saw the positive posts and heard from so many people that said what a wonderful job our public safety did handling the situation. And I agree completely,” Williams said.
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Lt. Aaron Fittery, a 15-year veteran with North Augusta Public Safety, was injured in the shootout. Fittery was shot in the leg during the incident, and his vehicle received extensive damage, including bullet holes in the driver’s seat headrest.
MORE: North Augusta Public Safety names officer injured in Georgia Avenue shootout
Officers tried to stop a suspicious vehicle but the driver, Thomas Airington, 42 of Clarks Hill, S.C., fled, first causing an accident at Martintown Road and Georgia Avenue then continuing down Georgia Avenue. He stopped near the intersection with Buena Vista Avenue, exited his truck and opened fire.
He was wanted on outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court on multiple felony charges, including drugs and weapons.
MORE: North Augusta gunman is drug-trafficking suspect who missed court
“This event happened downtown but not because of anything in regards to downtown,” said the mayor. “The man who was arrested was a criminal who does not live in North Augusta. He was a criminal before the incident happened.”
Williams went on to thank the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Highway Patrol, the ATF Task Force, Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Police Department.
Earlier in the meeting, City Administrator Jim Clifford updated council members on progress preparing the Georgia Avenue location where a new public safety headquarters and court offices will be built.
He said city crews are being used to clear the site, commonly known as the Flythe/Seven Gables property, of underbrush and dead or dying trees.
However, Clifford said they city will need to hire a contractor that specializes in asbestos removal for one part of the site clearance.
“In order for us to finish clearing the motel portion the floor tiles are asbestos and have to be abated,” he explained. “We went through multiple vendors and the bid that we have in front of us is the one that we’re looking to pursue.
If council approves the contract during the Dec. 20 regular meeting Clifford anticipates the asbestos abatement could be finished by early January. After that, city crews will remove the motel.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
