New details from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office confirm that the man who shot a deputy early Thursday morning was not involved in the armed robbery that initially drew law enforcement to Washington Road. Instead, investigators believe the suspect may have opened fire out of fear that deputies were coming to arrest him on 11 outstanding warrants, including aggravated assault and illegal firearm possession.
The shootout left Deputy Victor Rodriguez hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds and the suspect, 20-year-old Dalyn Dewayne Elder, critically injured.
“He possibly thought we were coming after him because of those warrants,” said Sheriff Eugene Brantley in a press conference Thursday afternoon. “But either way, he made the decision to run and shoot at our deputy.”
The incident began at 12:38 a.m. Thursday, when a 911 caller — later identified as Ricardo Clay — reported being robbed at gunpoint by multiple suspects at the BP gas station at 3011 Washington Road. Deputies arrived on scene at 12:44 a.m., and based on the caller’s description, believed the suspects may have fled toward the nearby Super 8 motel.
While that part of the investigation continued, deputies also worked to identify and locate the actual suspects from the BP gas station robbery. As of 12:10 p.m. Thursday, both of those individuals were in custody. Investigators located and arrested the suspects during a traffic stop, using a combination of technology and follow-up work.
The suspects arrested were identified as Ashton Wimberly, age 17, and Donte White, age 28. White was also found to have active robbery warrants out of Kentucky. Both men are being questioned by the Criminal Investigations Division.
Deputies are still seeking a white male for questioning in connection to the robbery. A wanted poster has been released asking for the public’s help in identifying or locating him.
Deputy Brandon Schrumpf was the first to arrive after the initial robbery call and radioed in descriptions, including a Black male in a black hoodie. A few minutes later, Deputy Aiden Perez cleared the Super 8, finding no suspects there.
At 12:55 a.m., Deputy Rodriguez spotted Elder running near the I-20 overpass by the Waffle House. Elder matched the description provided from the robbery scene. Just moments later, at 12:56 a.m., Elder opened fire on Rodriguez near the construction site behind Chipotle. The deputy was grazed once and struck twice in the lower left torso. The bullets landed below his ballistic vest, but Rodriguez stayed alert, continued to call out his location, and returned fire.
“His wife was there. He said, ‘Sheriff, I’m going to get back to work as soon as I can,’” Brantley said, describing his hospital visit with the deputy. “We encouraged him to take whatever time he needs to recover. His health is what’s important to us — as is the health of the suspect who was shot. We have to keep in mind he has parents and people who love him as well. I just ask that we keep every person involved in our prayers.”
Witnesses later reported seeing Elder run toward the Outback Steakhouse. Cpl. Amanda Donald and Deputy John Wade chased him through the Outback parking lot and into the shopping center near the Designer Shoe Warehouse. Elder attempted to reach a waiting vehicle while still armed, and when he pointed his weapon at deputies, Corporal Donald fired, striking him at least once in the chest.
Elder was transported to WellStar MCG Health in critical condition. Investigators recovered a stolen pistol at the scene. Elder, a convicted felon, now faces charges including three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and theft by receiving stolen property.
He was previously wanted in connection with a May 20 shooting on Central Avenue and had an extensive criminal record that included past charges for obstruction, theft, and fleeing law enforcement. He was also involved in a January 14 high-speed pursuit in a stolen vehicle that ended in North Augusta after speeds topped 100 miles per hour.
Sheriff Brantley emphasized that while deputies did everything right, the system needs to do better when it comes to keeping repeat offenders off the street.
“We have to do a better job of holding people accountable,” Brantley said. “And we are doing our part. It’s going to be a collective effort for people to continue to do their part.”
Corporal Amanda Donald has been placed on administrative leave while the Regional Force Investigation Team, led by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, reviews the shooting. Richmond County’s CID is continuing the robbery investigation.
In that case, deputies arrested 24-year-old Dashon Thamus Hunt at the Super 8 motel and charged him with robbery by force. Two other suspects were arrested Thursday afternoon and a fourth person is wanted for questioning.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or call 911 if the suspects’ whereabouts are known.
