Suspect killed, deputy injured in downtown Augusta shooting incident
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Deputies were on the scene in downtown Augusta after an officer-involved shooting happened Saturday.
Deputy Kenneth Mercer was injured and the homeless suspect, Duterval Sejour, 36, was killed.
Sejour was shot at least one time and was pronounced dead on the scene at 1:46 p.m., according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.
At 11:23 a.m., the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 1200 block of Ellis Street in reference to a subject with a gun.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is now handling the case, says deputies found the man in an enclosed area of a business that bordered Ellis Street.
In a news release, Sunday, the GBI says deputies confirmed that the man had a gun. While speaking with him in an attempt to get him to surrender, there was an exchange of gunfire between the deputies and the man.
During the incident, Mercer was shot and taken to a local hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
This is the 50th officer-involved shooting the GBI has been requested to investigate in 2023.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp sent his sentiments via Twitter to Deputy Kenneth Mercer with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
In his tweet from this afternoon, he says “Marty, the girls, and I are asking all Georgians to pray for Richmond County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Mercer who was shot in the line of duty today. We his loved ones and the entire law enforcement community in asking God to keep him stable and on the road to recovery.”
Multiple sheriff’s departments in the CSRA, from North Augusta Public Safety to Burke County, have also weighed in their thoughts and prayers since the incident happened.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson released a statement on his Facebook to “please keep Deputy Kenneth Mercer and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers”, Sunday.
The J.D Paugh Memorial Foundation said to News 12: “He is an amazing guy and an even more amazing deputy. He loves his family and his law enforcement family more than anything. He is an animal lover and no one comes between him and his dogs. On his off time you’ll find find in the yard grilling out and playing with the dogs or riding his Harley. Kenny will do anything for anyone family, friends, strangers or his law enforcement brothers and sisters.”
The coroner’s office says an autopsy for Sejour has been scheduled. Bowen says if you know of any family related to Sejour, call the Richmond County Coroner’s Office. Sejour may have ties to Florida and/or New Jersey.
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