Gunfire erupted at the Augusta Mall on Sunday, injuring one and forcing a mass evacuation and shutdown.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to reports of shots fired. Deputies were informed the suspect had fled the scene and the victim had left before police arrived.
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“Deputies later learned the victim had driven themselves to a local hospital for treatment,” sheriff’s Investigator Walter McNeil said in a press release. He did not release the victim’s name or condition.
On Sunday night, the sheriff’s office released a surveillance image, asking the public’s help in identifying the pictured subjects. They are wanted for questioning concerning the aggravated assault.
Any information concerning these subjects, please contact Inv. Britney Moore at 706-821-4850, or any On-Duty Investigator at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080. Callers may remain anonymous.
“The Augusta Mall will remain closed for the rest of the day and resume normal business hours on Monday,” McNeil said.
Several witnesses reported that the shooting happened in Dillard’s, but that was not immediately confirmed.
Witness Jenna Carter said it happened in Dillard’s and the “person ran out of the food court.”
On Facebook, Jaleisa Dunn reported that a man got shot while he was checking out.
Shavondrea Harris reported on Facebook that it was a shootout between groups with the sheriff’s office calling in K9s to hunt for the suspects.
Kerri Graves Shaffer said she heard a popping sound while in the food court. What she saw next was terrifying.
“(We) saw tons of people running by us and screaming. We were there almost 30 minutes after it happened, because our party got separated and I didn’t see a single cop,” she said.
Kristina Maldonado said she was in the food court with others when she heard the shots and saw people running toward the door.
“We hit the ground and waited a second to make sure the coast was clear and bolted for the door,” she said on Facebook.
She said they told an elderly couple to run with them.
“It’s the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced,” Maldonado said.
Another resident, Becky Fitzgerald James, said her son texted her that he was hiding in a back room. Still, another posted from the mall, saying she and others were still locked inside.
This story will be updated as information becomes available.
