Crime
26-year-old Erykah Tate killed after shooting in Fairfield neighborhood
No arrests have been made as of this time.
UPDATE: The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of 28-year-old Shazaria Williams in connection with the recent shooting incident.
Williams is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond and faces formal charges related to the case.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the charges or circumstances surrounding the arrest.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman late Monday afternoon in a Fairfield neighborhood.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 26-year-old Erykah Nameke Tate, a Fairfield resident.
Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a person shot at approximately 4:50 p.m. in the 400 block of Forest Drive, located in the Forest Hills community.
Upon arrival, emergency responders from Fairfield Fire and Rescue pronounced Tate deceased at the scene by 4:56 p.m.. It remains unclear whether the shooting occurred inside a residence or outside.
Authorities have not yet disclosed any details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators remained on-site for several hours following the incident, combing the area for evidence.
No arrests have been made as of this time.
Tate’s death marks the second homicide investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office since Saturday, following the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old in the Center Point area over the weekend.
This incident contributes to the 185 homicides reported in Jefferson County this year, underscoring a troubling trend of violence in the area.
Law enforcement is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Tips can be provided anonymously.
The investigation remains active, and updates will be provided as they become available.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.