Suspect Allegedly Lies to Deputies After Being Shot by Victim in Augusta
Augusta, GA – A kidnapping suspect is facing serious charges after an alleged attempt to flee authorities, following an encounter in which the victim shot the suspect in self-defense.
The incident unfolded late Monday evening in Augusta, Georgia, leaving both the victim and the suspect in a tense standoff with law enforcement.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a residence on the 3000 block of Wrightsboro Road after receiving reports of a violent altercation. When they arrived, the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Michael Thompson, was found with gunshot wounds.
Authorities say Thompson had allegedly attempted to kidnap a woman and had forced her into his vehicle. In what authorities are calling an act of self-defense, the woman managed to retrieve a firearm from the vehicle’s glove compartment and shot Thompson before fleeing to safety.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Thompson allegedly attempted to deceive law enforcement officers, claiming he had been shot during a robbery and not during the kidnapping attempt.
However, investigators quickly determined that Thompson’s account was inconsistent with the evidence and witness statements. Surveillance footage from the area corroborated the victim’s version of events, which led deputies to charge Thompson with kidnapping, aggravated assault, and other related offenses. Deputies transported Thompson to a nearby hospital for treatment before taking him into custody.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was unharmed in the incident and is cooperating with authorities.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the altercation.
Thompson remains in the Richmond County Jail without bond as of Tuesday morning.
