AUGUSTA, Ga. – A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Alvin Rivers, a resident of Thomson, Ga., outside an Exxon gas station on Gordon Highway.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Jantez Willie Durden, 32, on the same day as the shooting. Durden has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:57 a.m. on Tuesday when authorities responded to a shooting at the Exxon station located at 2061 Gordon Highway. According to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen, Rivers was found lying next to a gas pump with a gunshot wound to the head. He was immediately transported to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead on Friday, February 21, at 1:40 p.m.

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death, but authorities say Rivers sustained at least one gunshot wound during the attack. Witnesses at the scene, including the victim’s wife and a friend, were present when the shooting occurred.

Investigators have stated that Durden used a black, unknown-model Glock firearm to discharge the fatal shot. Arrest warrants for Durden confirm that he is the primary suspect in the slaying.

The fatal shooting is part of a larger trend of violent crime that has plagued the CSRA region over the past two years. In that time, approximately 200 lives have been lost in violent incidents spanning both sides of the Savannah River, with Augusta being particularly affected as the region’s largest city.

Friends and family of Rivers are now gathering online to remember him, creating a keepsake book with memories shared through the online obituary. Funeral services for Rivers will be scheduled at a later date.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the community to remain vigilant as they work to address the ongoing issue of violent crime in the area.