A suspect is in custody in connection with a Jan. 8 drive-by shooting that claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl in Augusta, according to news outlets WRDW and WAGT.
Antoine Redfield, 21, of Augusta was involved in the fatal shooting of Arbrie Leigh Anthony, WRDW/WAGT reported, citing authorities.
Redfield, who is in custody at the Columbia County Detention Center, was one of three men detained earlier this week in Grovetown after a traffic stop, WRDW/WAGT reported.
A hold was placed on him for Richmond County, authorities said Friday, according to the news outlets.
About 2:45 p.m. Monday, Grovetown Police Department officers assisted the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in a traffic stop in the 5000 block of Wrightsboro Road, WRDW/WAGT reported.
A search of the vehicle revealed multiple firearms and dozens of financial transaction cards belonging to multiple people, none of whom were in the vehicle, the news outlets reported, citing police.
Redfield was charged Tuesday with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Devonte Juanye McNeil, 25, and Henri Ramone Beach, 20, were charged with financial transaction card theft, WRDW/WAGT reported.
Further arrests are expected, the news outlets reported, citing the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Credit: Richmond County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Richmond County Sheriff's Office
“We would not be at this point in the investigation without the help of the public and our local and federal law enforcement partners,” the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Friday. “Sheriff (Richard) Roundtree personally thanks the dozens of individuals who called with information surrounding this case.”
Law enforcement officials began searching for at least two individuals in connection with the fatal drive-by shooting last weekend.
The individuals fired about five to 10 shots Jan. 8 from a newer-model Jeep Compass Trailhawk in the 2000 block of 3rd Avenue, WRDW/WAGT reported Monday, citing the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
The Jeep Compass is reddish-orange and possibly has a black top and a black stripe on the hood with a moon roof, WRDW/WAGT reported.
Upon arrival at 7:25 p.m. Jan. 8, deputies learned Arbrie had been shot, according to the news outlets.
Arbrie was taken by private vehicle to Augusta University Medical Center, where she later was pronounced dead, WRDW/WAGT reported. Several family members confirmed the child’s identity to the news outlets.
Arbrie was outside petting neighborhood horses when she was shot, WRDW/WAGT reported. Cars and a horse were also struck by gunfire. The horse later died, The Augusta Chronicle reported.
“All acts of violence involving gunfire are senseless, but when it comes to a child, we take that one personally,” Roundtree said at a previous news conference. “I grew up in this city. I went to high school with many of the individuals and families that live in the southside area. I worked homicides for 10 years. I know the rules of the street game, and I know that children are off limit.”
If you have any information, please contact investigator Lucas Heise or any violent crimes investigator with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1026 or 706-821-1080.
