The parents of an Augusta teen who allegedly died of a gunshot wound as two Richmond County Sheriff deputies disputed how best to treat his injury have filed suit.
LaToya Burns and Kelsey Hawes filed the Richmond County State Court lawsuit Tuesday, Feb. 1 against the Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Richard Roundtree, Deputy Brandon Keathley and former deputy Nicholas Nunes.
Burns and Hawes are the parents of 17-year-old DeAngelo Burns who died Feb. 7, 2020. Burns was shot that night on Abelia Drive. After Burns was shot, his girlfriend tried to get him help and drove to the Circle K at 2800 Peach Orchard Rd., according to news reports in 2020.
Keathley and Nunes were both on duty that night. Keathley started CPR on Burns and Nunes tried to stop him and pushed him away from Burns after which Keathley hit Nunes in the head with a flashlight. Burns was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
[adrotate banner=”25″]
Keathley was suspended without pay for 30 days. Nunes left the department before the month was over, according to news reports. According to a list of employees provided to The Augusta Press recently, Keathley is still a deputy on the force.
Burns and Hawes alleged in their lawsuit that both officers were negligent in failing to act reasonably and in a prudent manner. They also contend the department and sheriff bear responsibility for training and supervision.
Keathley was indicted on aggravated assault charges and has pleaded not guilty in Richmond County Superior Court. Although indicted in December 2020, Keathley has yet to be scheduled for a hearing or trial.
Burns’ parents are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. A lawsuit represents only one side of a dispute.
Another teen, Jaquavious Taylor, now 17, has been indicted on murder and other charges in Burns’ death. He has pleaded not guilty.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
