3 more suspects arrested in separate Augusta slayings

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Richmond County deputies have arrested three more suspects in separate homicides – on the heels of three other murder arrests in the past few days.

The moves seem to be solid strikes against crime as deputies battle a surge in deadly crime that’s swept the CSRA since spring.

The latest captures include the arrest of a second suspect in a double murder that happened nearly two months ago in the 2500 block of Cascade Drive.

Arquette Jones, 20, was charged with two counts of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, authorities said Tuesday.

The Cascade Drive shootings happened Sept. 19, killing Kameron Tucker, 19, of Augusta, and Kentevios Wageman, 17, of Augusta.

Jones was the second suspect arrested in the case. Andre Rountree,18, of Augusta, was arrested Sept. 29.

Deputies on Tuesday also announced the arrest of Lamar Jaquez Jones, 22, of Augusta, in connection with a homicide that occurred Oct. 15 in the 1900 block of Old Savannah Road. Jones was charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The shooting claimed the life of Tymarkus Dashawn Starkes, 20, of Augusta.

Also announced Tuesday was the arrest of Evyn O’Conner, 18, of Beech Island, in connection with a homicide that occurred Oct. 15 in the 2100 block of B Street. O’Conner has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Also arrested recently in that case was Diriuss Antonio Redd Jr. The shooting at the Olmstread Homes claimed the life of 22-year-old Kyan Michael Bowie.

Also in the past few days, deputies arrested a second suspect, Julius Riddick Jr., 20, in connection with a fatal shooting Oct. 17 at a busy Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins location at 3024 Washington Road. Authorities had already arrested John Lee Scarboro, 35, of Augusta, in connection with the incident that claimed the life of Reginald Eugene Johnson, 32, of Augusta.

And over the weekend, deputies arrested Frederick Grace, 42, within hours after Saturday night’s fatal shooting of Ronald Lee Haugabook Jr., 17, in the 3073 Deans Bridge Road, Number One Mobile Home Park. Grace is charged with murder, possession of firearm by convicted felon and possession of firearm during the commission of a crime.

Chief Deputy Patrick Clayton with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has said many recent shootings like the one on Cascade Drive have one thing in common.

“These are people that they’re going out looking for trouble and they are finding it,” he said.

One of the victims in the double homicide on Cascade Drive had an active warrant out. He was wanted in connection with another murder.

The outbreak in deadly crime has affected communities large and small on both sides of the Savannah River, claiming more than 50 lives since April 14. As the CSRA’s largest city, Augusta has been hit especially hard.

Deputies have blamed much of the problem on gangs, and they’re taking measures such as installing dozens of high-tech cameras in crime hotspots, and they’re prepared to install more.

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