No arrests have been made or charges filed as of Tuesday morning in the Jan. 8 shooting death of Arbrie Anthony. A vehicle was stopped and individuals were questioned Monday night.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to search for suspects and the distinctive vehicle involved. The public information office confirmed Tuesday that Richmond County is working with multiple agencies in the search.
Anthony was in her front yard when she was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting. Video surveillance showed the suspect vehicle is likely a newer model, reddish-orange Jeep Compass Trailhawk with a black roof and black stripe down the hood.
In a press conference Monday announcing the description of the vehicle, Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree said appeared there were two individuals in the vehicle, and the shots were fired out the passenger window,
Roundtree appealed for anyone with information to call (706) 821-1080 or (706) 821-1020. Callers can remain anonymous.
“I cannot and I will not accept the fact that no one knows who the suspects are,” the sheriff said. “There are individuals in this community who knew why they were there, knew what they were there for and knew who they were. Yet, they have failed to come forward with this information.”
Ideally, said Roundtree, the suspects will turn themselves in. He admitted gun violence has been an issue in parts of Augusta, but he said children are off-limits.
“All gun violence is senseless, but I think these are cowards, these individuals,” Roundtree said. “This is an 8-year-old little girl who was shot in the head in her own front yard. You don’t get a pass on this.”
[adrotate banner=”26″]
The sheriff said law enforcement officials do not believe this shooting was random.
“Absolutely we do not. This is the place where individuals gather frequently based on the social tools that were present, chairs, fire barrel, so this is the community gathering,” Roundtree said. “We are following up leads that may have some association with some retaliatory incidents that happened prior to this that may involve gangs.”
The sheriff said two men on horseback, who had visited the area in the past to let children pet the horses, were there when the shooting occurred. One of the horses was shot, and it died Sunday. They are waiting for that slug to be recovered from the horse’s body.
A car in front of the apartment was also hit by gunfire. The sheriff said between five and 10 rounds were fired.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
