A Richmond County deputy is recovering after being shot multiple times during a violent confrontation early Thursday morning that began with a reported armed robbery at a BP gas station on Washington Road.
UPDATED STORY HERE: https://theaugustapress.com/sheriff-man-who-shot-rcso-deputy-was-fleeing-warrants-not-robbery-scene/
At approximately 12:38 a.m., Richmond County Dispatch received a 911 call from a man who reported being robbed at gunpoint at the BP gas station on Washington Road.
Deputies responding to the scene encountered Dalyn Dewayne Elder, a 20-year-old man from Augusta, who immediately fled on foot. During a foot chase near the Waffle House in front of Outback Steakhouse, Elder opened fire on Deputy Victor Rodriguez, striking him multiple times in the torso. The deputy returned fire despite his injuries.
Elder continued to flee behind Outback into the adjacent shopping center parking lot, where he fired additional shots at a second responding deputy, Cpl. Amanda Donald, who returned fire and struck Elder at least once.
Both Deputy Rodriuguez and Elder were taken to the hospital for surgery and are reported to be in stable condition.
At the time of the deputy shooting, Elder was being sought for a May 20th aggravated assault on Central Avenue and was listed as armed and dangerous in a wanted flyer. He has a long criminal record with arrests for theft by receiving stolen property, discharging gun on public street, obstruction of an officer, criminal trespass and disrupting school.
In Thursday’s shooting, surveillance and follow-up investigation led to the identification of a second suspect, who was located at the nearby Super 8 motel along with several other individuals currently being questioned.
The Richmond County Criminal Investigations Division is leading the robbery investigation. The Regional Force Investigation Team, led by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, is handling the officer-involved shooting portion of the case.
The area between Bonefish Grill and Outback Steakhouse was closed to the public for several hours and is expected to reopen around 7 a.m.
Sheriff Eugene Brantley and Chief Deputy Robert Sams remained at the hospital with the injured deputy’s family, while Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard and Major Patrick Young were on scene along with Major Shariff Chochol from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Brantley issued the following statement: “We are incredibly grateful for the quick and courageous response from our deputies during this dangerous and unpredictable situation. I want to personally thank the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and all of our law enforcement partners for their support. Most importantly, thank you to our community for your continued thoughts and prayers for our injured deputy as they recover.”
Previous background on suspect.
On Jan. 14, 2024, Elder was involved in a high-speed pursuit with Richmond County deputies after being spotted in a stolen Jeep Renegade that triggered a Flock camera alert on Deans Bridge Road. Elder and another suspect led deputies on a dangerous chase through Augusta streets, reaching speeds over 100 mph while weaving through traffic before fleeing into North Augusta.
The pursuit ended at an apartment complex, where both suspects were detained by Aiken Public Safety. Neither would admit to driving the vehicle, and both were later charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor. Elder would later be granted first-offender status for that crime with probation and credit for 45 days spent in jail.
