Crime
Armed person reported in the vicinity of the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps & Fort Liberty says
Fort Liberty officials issued a statement confirming they are aware of a situation involving an armed individual in the vicinity of the 82nd Airborne Division.
The XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty acknowledged the situation in an official statement, stating they are “aware of an armed individual in the 82nd Airborne Division area.”
Emergency services have described the situation as “active but contained,” indicating that while the individual has not yet been apprehended, there is no immediate threat to the wider community.
Emergency responders and military law enforcement have been deployed to the scene. Security measures have been heightened across the installation to ensure the safety of personnel and operations.
Fort Liberty’s leadership is closely coordinating with emergency services to address the ongoing situation.
Additional details regarding the armed individual, their identity, or potential motive have not yet been disclosed.
While officials have not issued a lockdown for the installation, they are urging all personnel and residents to remain vigilant and adhere to any directives from emergency services or military police.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops. Fort Liberty has emphasized its commitment to the safety and security of its personnel and surrounding community.
For ongoing information, individuals are advised to monitor official channels and report any suspicious activity immediately to Fort Liberty’s emergency hotline.
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.