22-04-2025
61-year-old Edgefield man remains in critical condition after Easter weekend Broad Street shooting
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- An Edgefield man remains in critical condition after a shooting in downtown Augusta over the weekend.
Deputies charged Da'Mon Cole and Destiny Reeves with that shooting that happened early Saturday morning on Broad Street.
Both are now facing aggravated assault and other charges.
61-year-old Tracy Waddell was shot in the head around 2 o'clock in the morning on Saturday after a dispute right outside of The Loft Bar.
Now Augustans are weighing in on efforts from the Sheriff's Office to improve safety downtown.
'I absolutely feel that downtown Augusta is a safe place, and I do feel that it's a safe place after dark,' said Shannon McClellan-Dixon.
Investigators say Cole and Reeves worked together to lure Tracy Waddell to a nearby car.
Moments later, Cole opened fire, shooting the victim in the head.
Sheriff Eugene Brantley credits his downtown safety plan with the quick arrests of Cole and Reeves.
The plan calls for two deputies on each block of Broad Street on weekend nights.
Dixon says it's a critical added police presence with nighttime downtown activities.
'I've noticed that there's a lot more live entertainment, foot traffic. There's more entertainment and activity on the streets than there once was,' said Dixon.
Anti-gun activist Rev. Dr. Larry Fryer says in order to limit crime, law enforcement and the community must work together to reach the youth.
'The suspects are adults, and they should be leaders in our communities—but when money is greater than morality, we're going to have those problems. We're going to have to sit down with them, find out some of the things that they're needing, and begin to work,' said Fryer.
'I think that unfortunate occurrence is an opportunity for all of us Augustans just to really have each other's back,' Dixon said.
The Sheriff's Office says this remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Waddell is still in the hospital in critical condition.
His family has set up a GoFundMe account to prepare for the potential heavy medical costs involved.
If you'd like to get involved to help the Waddell family, you can find the fundraiser here.
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