News 12 at 6:00, August 23, 2008

Augusta, Ga. -- It all started at 3:30 this morning. Richmond County Investigators say three men were shot when multiple shots were fired in the parking lot next door to Soundtrack Nightclub on Laney Walker Blvd.

"There were at least several hundred people in the area, so the fact that more people didn't get shot is a miracle," Lt. Scott Peebles said.

Moments later, a Richmond County deputy was flagged down on the 400 block of Laney Walker Blvd by three men in these two cars. They said they were shot, and showed the deputy who was chasing them. Next, deputies tried to stop the car, which had been reported stolen, but the car took off. After a high speed chase, it crashed into a curb a few miles away. The three men ran, but were later arrested. Inside the car, deputies found a mini assault rifle, and two handguns.

"We have information that this could have been a retaliation from a previous shooting, the details of which we don't have just yet. There's also other things that make us believe this is gang-related," Lt. Peebles said.

Investigators say 20-year-old Charles Gillians of Augusta, 20-year-old Adrian Frails of Fort Lauderdale, and 19-year-old John Turner of Augusta were arrested and are being held in the Richmond County Jail. All three men are facing a long list of charges including aggravated assault. Investigators say the three victims are at MCG. One man has life threatening injuries and if he doesn't make it, those charges will be upgraded to murder. 18-year-old Thomas Kirkland is still listed in critical condition. He was shot in the head. Two other men, Michael Henderson and Devonye Person also have multiple injuries right now.