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.
Crime
One Shot, Another Stabbed During Morning Funeral at Gospel Lighthouse Apostolic Church in Hartford
HARTFORD, Conn. — A violent incident unfolded Friday morning during a funeral service at Gospel Lighthouse Apostolic Church, located at 2003 Main Street, leaving multiple individuals injured, according to Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert.
Police received several 911 calls reporting shots fired inside the church around 10:27 a.m.
When officers arrived, they found evidence of a disturbance involving both a shooting and a stabbing, Channel2 NOW has learned.
Initial reports indicate that a female victim who had been shot left the scene before police arrived and went to Saint Francis Hospital for treatment.
Her injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Additionally, one or two more individuals, reportedly suffering from minor facial injuries, also self-transported to Saint Francis Hospital.
Later in the morning, around 10:45 a.m., a male victim arrived at the hospital with a stab wound to the leg, which authorities confirmed was related to the same church incident.
According to Lt. Boisvert, four shell casings were recovered inside the church, and one casing was located just outside.
Police believe the violence occurred during a funeral service in progress at the time, but the motive and details surrounding the altercation remain under investigation.
Officers and detectives have since secured the scene and are working to interview witnesses and review surveillance footage.
Authorities have not yet confirmed any arrests or released information on potential suspects.
The Hartford Police Department is urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward by calling their Major Crimes Division at (860) 757-4000 or submitting anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.