AUGUSTA, Ga. – Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with a shooting that occurred nearly a year ago at the Circle K on Peach Orchard Road.

Quinderius Warthaw, 26, was taken into custody on Thursday, nearly nine months after the April 2024 incident, which left one person injured and endangered several others. The shooting took place at the Circle K located at 3603 Peach Orchard Road.

According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, security footage revealed that Warthaw, along with a second suspect, entered the store and became involved in a heated argument with two customers. The altercation quickly escalated, continuing into the parking lot. The victims, who attempted to drive away, were followed by the suspects. At one point, one of the victims got out of the vehicle and approached the suspects, continuing the argument.

It was at this point that the second suspect, who had been driving, allegedly exited the vehicle and pulled out a firearm. Deputies say the suspect fired multiple shots at the victims’ car, narrowly missing people who were at the gas pumps. The suspects then fled the scene, heading north on Peach Orchard Road.

The shooting was witnessed by Richmond County sheriff candidate Clarence “Bo” Johnson, who was at the scene and tried to intervene. Johnson attempted to block the suspects’ vehicle from leaving the parking lot but was unsuccessful. He also followed the suspects as far as Twigg Street in downtown Augusta while providing critical information to 911 dispatchers.

“I just kept thinking of all the innocent people in that parking lot, how close they came to being caught in the crossfire,” Johnson said. “It just shows how brazen the criminal element in Richmond County has become, with no regard for public safety.”

One of the victims, who had been struck by at least one bullet, managed to drive himself to a nearby hospital where he received treatment for his injuries. No one else was reported injured in the incident.

Warthaw has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of possession of a weapon during a crime, and one count of other authority warrant, according to jail records. Authorities are continuing their investigation as they work to locate the second suspect involved in the shooting.

The arrest of Warthaw brings some resolution to a case that had gone cold for nearly a year, and serves as a reminder of the dangers of gun violence in the community.