The Georgia Bureau of Investigation released more information early Sunday about the shooting in downtown Augusta that injured three people.
The suspect, who was shot by Richmond County sheriff’s deputies, was identified by the GBI as Amazing Lee Blessed Brigham, 19, of Hephzibah. He is in custody and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon during a crime.
New information released by GBI
Just before 1:15 a.m. Saturday, three off-duty Richmond County officers were working at the Solé restaurant, located at 1033 Broad St., when they heard multiple gunshots, according to the release.
Officers responded to the gunshots and “encountered a male with an assault pistol outside the restaurant,” the GBI said. Two of the three officers shot at the suspect, hitting the suspect at least once.
Two other bystanders were also struck by gunfire and suffered superficial gunshot wounds, according to the release.
Sheriff Richard Roundtree said during a news conference Saturday that officers “found what appeared to be at least two males exchanging gunfire in the middle of a busy sidewalk” and that “one of the suspects fired an assault weapon into a crowd of bystanders,” according to Sheriff Richard Roundtree . to previous reporting.
More: Mayor Augusta is trying to reassure downtown residents after Saturday’s shooting
The GBI is still investigating who shot the bullets that hit the two bystanders.
The suspect and bystanders were taken to a local hospital and treated for their gunshot wounds, the news release said.
The GBI noted that the gunfire occurred outside the restaurant between the suspect and “several other unidentified individuals” and that the gunfight covered an area of two to three blocks, according to the release.
GBI agents confirmed there is bodycam footage and surveillance footage from multiple businesses in the area.
The GBI reported that the motive behind the shootout is unknown, but multiple weapons and evidence were recovered from the crime scene, including seven vehicles that were struck by gunfire. Several businesses in the area suffered damage from the many gunshots fired.
No officers were injured during the encounter, according to the GBI and sheriff’s office.
According to the press release, the GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once the file is complete, it will be turned over to the Augusta District Attorney’s Office for review.
The GBI is asking anyone with information, photos or video footage related to this incident to provide it to the GBI or the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. The GBI communications center can be reached at (404) 244-2600. Confidential tips for the sheriff’s office can be posted online at www.richmondcountysheriffsoffice.com/crime-tip.cfm.
This article originally appeared in Augusta Chronicle: Man charged in shooting in downtown Augusta, more information released
