Bo Johnson heard gunfire in south Augusta on Sunday afternoon while putting up campaign signs for sheriff and jumped into action.
While his wife dialed 911, Johnson pursued the suspect vehicle through the county and provided crucial information that he said led to two arrests in a Circle K shooting on Peach Orchard Road. The driver of the suspect vehicle, and possibly the triggerman, fled and was not captured, Johnson said.
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In a brief press release, sheriff’s Sgt. John Perry said the shooting victim was hospitalized. The RCSO release did not mention any arrests or the assistance of Johnson, who is trying to unseat Sheriff Richard Roundtree.
“I was doing my civic duty,” Johnson said Sunday night. “Even though I am retired, I am still a police officer. I am still a law enforcement officer, and when I see a felony committed in my presence, I feel an obligation to respond.”
Returning to Circle K, Johnson said talked with officers and tried to help secure the shell casings that littered the parking lot. He said he told the officers “good job” as they work with limited resources.
Johnson, a former RCSO deputy and federal air marshal, will appear on the ballot May 21 in the Democrat nomination for sheriff. Both Johnson and Sgt. Gino Brantley with the Marshal’s Office are running against Roundtree. The winner may face Independent Richard Dixon in November if Dixon obtains the required signatures to appear on the ballot.
When he announced his run for sheriff, Johnson pledged to work on hiring and retaining qualified personnel, improving morale, fostering a positive and supportive work environment, and providing strong, ethical, and visionary leadership to guide the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office toward positive change.
On Sunday, he said the shooting was a sign to him of how brazen criminals have become under the current leadership.
“What really surprised me is that it took place this much south in Richmond County,” he said. “You never would have seen something like this in broad daylight. That just shows you how blatant the criminals have gotten here in Richmond County without getting checked, when there is no fear for reprisal.”
While Sheriff Roundtree did not call to thank him for Sunday’s help, he said the Circle K manager did.
“The manager at Circle K, Mr. James, he thanked me,” Johnson said. “He said ‘Great job, this is what we need.’ I said, ‘Yeah, you have to hold people accountable.’”
