News Summary
In Augusta, Georgia, a deputy and a suspect were injured during a gunfire exchange behind a Chipotle construction site following an armed robbery at a nearby gas station. Deputy Victor Rodriguez was injured after engaging with the suspect, Dalyn Dewayne Elder, who attempted to flee from deputies. Despite Elder’s flight stemming from outstanding warrants, he had no involvement in the robbery. Ongoing investigations are seeking information about additional suspects involved in the robbery.
Augusta, Georgia – A deputy and a suspect were injured in a gunfire exchange behind the construction site of a Chipotle restaurant early Thursday morning. This incident followed an armed robbery report at a BP gas station located at 3011 Washington Road, which authorities received shortly before 12:40 a.m.
The 911 caller reported being robbed at gunpoint by multiple suspects, prompting the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to respond quickly to gather information about the robbery. Deputy Victor Rodriguez spotted a man matching the suspect’s description near the Interstate 20 overpass shortly afterward.
The suspect, later identified as Dalyn Dewayne Elder, fled toward a nearby Waffle House. It was behind the Chipotle construction site where Elder allegedly fired multiple shots at Deputy Rodriguez. The deputy was grazed once and struck twice in the left lower torso during the gunfire exchange. Despite his injuries, Rodriguez returned fire and communicated with other deputies regarding the escalating situation.
Deputies pursued Elder through the parking lot of the Outback Steakhouse toward the DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse. During this pursuit, Elder attempted to reach a vehicle to flee but allegedly turned and aimed a weapon at deputies. In response, Corporal Amanda Donald shot Elder at least once in the chest.
It was later discovered that Elder had no involvement in the armed robbery. The reason for his flight stemmed from having 11 outstanding warrants, including aggravated assault related to a previous shooting incident in May. He is a convicted felon and reportedly used a stolen handgun during this incident, with drugs found on him as he fled from police.
Both Deputy Rodriguez and Elder were transported to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center for treatment. Rodriguez is currently reported to be in stable condition and is expected to recover from his injuries, while Elder remains in critical condition.
In connection to the armed robbery, authorities have apprehended one robbery suspect, identified as 24-year-old Dashon Thamus Hunt, at a Super 8 Motel. He has been charged with robbery by force. However, two other suspects from the armed robbery remain at large. These individuals are believed to frequent the Super 8 Motel, with one known as “Dread,” who is wanted for questioning regarding possession of the victim’s cell phone.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the situation and are seeking information from the public regarding the armed robbery and the remaining suspects. The rapid response of the deputies was crucial in addressing the gunfire incident, highlighting the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in the fight against crime.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4
- WRDW
- ABC News
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Newsweek
- Wikipedia: Crime in the United States
- Google Search: Augusta Georgia crime
- Google Scholar: Augusta Georgia law enforcement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Augusta, Georgia
- Google News: Augusta shootout
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
