Suspect arrested in May 5 murder of homeless man in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Authorities have arrested a suspect in the slaying of a homeless person found dead weeks ago on the front porch of an abandoned Augusta house.

Joshua Kareem Stokes had been sought as a suspect in an assault this week in the 700 block of East Cedar Street. Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators were able to locate and arrest him on suspicion of aggravated assault and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, according to authorities.

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However, authorities said that during the course of the investigation, authorities were able to connect Stokes to the May 5 murder of James Bohannon in the 500 block of Sibley Street.

Stokes has been charged with murder and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime in the case.

Bohannon, 62, who was identified as homeless, was found dead early May 5 on the porch of an abandoned house. Authorities said they were dispatched at 8:07 a.m. and found him at the home, bleeding from the head and neck area. He was pronounced dead at 8:20 a.m.

It was the second time in two days for a homeless person to be found slain in Augusta. In the other case, the body of Sevin Tralane Walker, 45, identified as homeless, was found early May 4 at a construction site on 11th Street near Fenwick Street.

In the case that led to Stokes’ arrest, authorities responded just after 2 a.m. Sunday to a report of a stabbing in the 700 block of East Cedar Street. The victim was found standing in the middle of the road with blood coming from his right shoulder. The victim, a 35-year-old man, told authorities he had just gotten off work and come to the residence. He stated he had gotten into an argument with a man later identified as Stokes, got in his car and drove away, according to authorities. The victim did not realize he had been stabbed until he was a few houses down the street when he felt pain in his shoulder. He made a U-turn and came back to the scene, according to authorities.