Edgefield Man in Critical Condition After Downtown Augusta Shooting; Two Suspects Charged
AUGUSTA, Ga. – A weekend shooting in downtown Augusta has left a 61-year-old man in critical condition and two suspects facing serious charges.
Authorities say the incident occurred early Saturday morning around 2 a.m. outside The Loft, a popular bar on Broad Street. According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Tracy Waddell of Edgefield, S.C., was shot in the head following a dispute involving two suspects, identified as Da’Mon Cole and Destiny Reeves.
Investigators allege that Cole and Reeves conspired to lure Waddell to a nearby vehicle, where Cole subsequently opened fire. Both suspects have been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and other related offenses.
The shooting has sparked renewed conversations around public safety in the downtown area. Sheriff Eugene Brantley credited the department’s recently implemented downtown safety initiative with the swift apprehension of the suspects. The plan includes placing two deputies on every block of Broad Street during weekend nights—a strategy designed to deter violent crime and improve police response times.
Local resident Shannon McClellan-Dixon expressed confidence in the area’s safety, despite the incident.
“I absolutely feel that downtown Augusta is a safe place, and I do feel that it’s a safe place after dark,” Dixon said. “I’ve noticed there’s a lot more live entertainment and foot traffic. There’s more activity on the streets than there once was.”
However, some community leaders believe that policing alone is not enough. Rev. Dr. Larry Fryer, an anti-gun violence advocate, emphasized the importance of addressing underlying social issues and working directly with at-risk individuals.
“The suspects are adults, and they should be leaders in our communities,” said Fryer. “But when money is greater than morality, we’re going to have these problems. We need to sit down with them, find out what they need, and begin to work together.”
Dixon echoed the call for unity in the wake of the tragedy.
“I think that unfortunate occurrence is an opportunity for all of us Augustans to really have each other’s back,” she said.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Meanwhile, Waddell continues to receive treatment at a local hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. His family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help offset mounting medical expenses.
