Suspect arrested in mall shooting as we learn how it unfolded
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A 24-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed 170 lives across the CSRA in the past two years.
Derek Lamont Blue, 24, of Augusta, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with one count of aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a weapon during a crime, according to jail records.
The victim told deputies he knew Blue.
Meanwhile, 911 calls released by the city of Augusta shed light on details around the shooting inside Snipes, a chain that focuses on streetwear, sportswear and sneakers.
LISTEN TO THE 911 CALLS:
Authorities say Derek Lamont Blue, 24, of Augusta, is accused of the Augusta Mall shooting on July 4 that injured one person.
Deputies said in an incident report that witnesses told them the shooting occurred at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday in a checkout line at Snipes, which is on the lower level between Dick’s Sporting Goods and JC Penney.
Two witnesses told deputies they were checking out the victim, a 25-year-old man from Hephzibah, and they saw Blue standing behind him.
Deputies said the victim asked Blue, “Why are you following me?”
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According to deputies, Blue responded: “I’m not following you. I’m shopping.”
The witnesses told authorities the victim then said to Blue, “I bet you if I hit you with that switch, you won’t be following me anymore.”
Then Blue pulled a gun from his waistband and fired two rounds at the victim, witnesses told deputies.
Blue fled down a hallway between Snipes and Dick’s Sporting Goods, according to authorities.
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Deputies said that when they arrived, they found the victim lying behind the counter suffering gunshot wounds to his left upper thigh and right knee.
Tourniquets were applied and he was taken by ambulance to Doctors Hospital with injuries that weren’t life-threatening.
Before being taken to the hospital, the victim said he knew the shooter and gave Blue’s name, according to deputies.
Deputies said they then cleared the immediate area of the mall and secured the scene.
Before releasing the report, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office had been tight-lipped about the shooting.
Earlier this week, the agency told News 12:
“Other than what was released, there is no further information available at this time. Due to the active investigation no interviews will be conducted.”
The mall, however, quickly issued statements to assure shoppers that the facility is safe, even though this was at least the fourth gun incident there in the past four years.
“We want to assure our community that we have a comprehensive security program that we constantly review and evaluate. Most initiatives happen behind-the-scenes and are not visible to the public, and it is our company policy to not speak publicly about our security initiatives, as doing so could jeopardize its effectiveness,” the mall said.
“Additionally, we have a close working relationship with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and we are thankful for their ongoing and responsiveness. For further questions, we need to direct you to Richmond County Sheriff’s Office as they are leading this investigation.”
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Between the recent shoot-out downtown, another shooting at the Augusta Mall and the murder of a teen on Friday night, some residents say enough is enough.
The mall repeated a statement that guns and “weapons of any kind” are strictly prohibited.
The mall wasn’t clear on how that’s enforced, though.
Last week’s incident wasn’t the first – or even the second – shooting at the mall.
In April, a gun was brandished during a verbal dispute in the food court.
PHOTO GALLERY:
The shootings raise memories of Regency Mall, which closed after becoming the site of violent crimes.
Despite at least threatening sanctions on other businesses that have become magnets for crime – places like Level 9 bar – there’s been no talk of that for the mall among Augusta Commission .
We asked Augusta Commission about it Tuesday, and they said they want to see the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and mall security staff come up with a stricter safety plan.
Commissioners say they haven’t discussed the shooting, but some say they’d like to start having conversations.
“As for the mall, if they want to continue having a mall, we gotta come together and have more security presence inside the mall, as well as outside,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight. “This is something that we definitely can get together and discuss. I do know that I look forward to a new sheriff coming on. It’s good to see new ideas and new staff coming on board in January.”
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