Augusta Mall July Fourth Shooting Suspect Identified: Derek Blue Now In Custody
Augusta Mall was the site of a shooting on the 4th of July. The shooting was reported just after 3:30 pm leading officials to close the mall for the remainder of the day.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has released the incident report, 6 days after the shooting, and now it’s been confirmed the victim knew the alleged shooter.
The victim, 25-year-old Rico Julius Walton of Hephzibah, was making a purchase at the Snipes store on the lower level of the mall, near Dick’s Sporting Goods, when the shooting occurred. Walton told investigators at the scene he knew the shooter, who has since been identified as 23-year-old Derek Lamont Blue of Augusta.
This morning, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said Blue is now in custody. He’s been charged with Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime.
Augusta Mall Shooting Incident Report from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office:
“The listed witnesses both advised they were attempting to check Walton out for a purchase, when they observed Blue stand behind Walton. They stated that Walton turned to Blue and stated, “Why are you following me?” They stated that Blue responded and stated, “I’m not following you, I’m shopping.” The witnesses stated that Walton turned back to Blue and stated, “I bet you if I hit you with that switch, you won’t be following me anymore.” At that time, both witnesses stated that Blue pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at Walton and fired 2 rounds and fled the scene down a hallway between Snipes and Dicks Sporting Goods.”
Deputies said Walton was laying behind the counter in Snipes when they arrived. He had a gunshot wound to his left upper thigh and a gunshot wound to his right knee. He was taken to Doctors Hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.
Blue fled from the store. He was wearing a red or pink shirt with blue jeans at the time of the shooting.
Mall Shooting July 4th was the Second There in Two Months
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at Dillard’s in Augusta Mall on April 28. The victim was taken by private vehicle to a local hospital before deputies arrived.
The following day, 24-year-old Tybrea Nelson was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault for her role in the shooting.
Days later, 20-year-old Kay-Sean Nealy and 26-year-old Samoney Tanksley were both charged with Aggravated Assault in connection with the shooting.
