Many questions linger after Augusta murder-suicide claims 2
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Authorities are trying to learn what led up to the fatal shooting of a woman Tuesday on Walton Way by a man who later killed himself at Pendleton King Park.
The woman was shot dead in broad daylight Tuesday, the latest victim in a two-year outbreak of crime across the CSRA that’s left more than 150 people dead.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office identified her as 45-year-old Lashonda Wilkerson, of Hephzibah. The shooter was identified as 45-year-old Michael Brooks.
Both incidents happened just five minutes away from each other.
Oddly, the park where Brooks killed himself was also the site of a suspicious death; a missing woman’s body was found in a car, and she was declared dead about three hours after Brooks. There’s no indication whether the incidents are related.
Deputies said the shooting of Wilkerson was reported just after 1:30 p.m. at Druid Park Avenue and Walton Way.
Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen quickly confirmed it was a homicide case.
MORE | Coroner IDs 2 teens killed in crash during Edgefield County chase
Two teens were identified on Tuesday as the victims of a crash during a police chase, according to the Edgefield County Coroner.
He said she was pronounced dead at 1:50 p.m., and an autopsy has been scheduled.
Then at 2:35 p.m., deputies found the suspect vehicle at Pendleton King Park with a male behind the wheel.
He was deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to his head, deputies said. He was pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m., and an autopsy has been scheduled.
Around 4 p.m., the Augusta Parks and Recreation Department announced Pendleton King Park was temporarily closed.
Wilkerson was among the latest victims in a crime surge that’s claimed more than 150 lives across the CSRA since April 2022. The crime outbreak has affected communities large and small on both sides of the Savannah River, but Augusta has been hit especially hard.
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