The quiet of the early morning on the 2700 block of Deen Avenue in Augusta, Ga., was shattered around 7:35 a.m. Tuesday when a volley of gunfire echoed through the neighborhood. Deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office arrived to find 28-year-old Deunte Myers suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Emergency crews whisked him to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where the Richmond County Coroner later pronounced him deceased at 8:13 a.m. the same morning.
Investigators quickly zeroed in on 21-year-old Tyrese Artavious Wesby as their primary suspect. The suspect was identified as driving a black Chevrolet Tahoe bearing Georgia license plate SJV2970. By mid-afternoon that day, deputies confirmed they had taken Wesby into custody in connection with the shooting.
In the hours after the shooting, the area remained alive with flashing patrol lights and investigators canvassing the scene. Multiple units from both the Sheriff’s Office and the Richmond County Marshal’s Office were present, interviewing neighbors and gathering evidence. The heavy presence underscored the seriousness of this tragic incident in a neighborhood that had just begun its day.
Despite the rapid arrest, many questions remain. Authorities have not yet shared details about what led up to the shooting or what the motive might have been. The escalation remains under investigation, with the community anxiously waiting for clarity. The Sheriff’s Office, in the meantime, extended its sympathies to Myers’ family, recognizing their grief and the shock rippling through local residents.
Friends and loved ones remember Deunte as a young man with hopes, and his loss has sent a wave of sadness through the compact community on Deen Avenue. Residents described the area as quiet that morning — which made the violence feel all the more jarring. One neighbor, speaking to investigators, told deputies they heard what sounded like bursts of gunfire, then watched as the scene unfolded. Although official statements were formal and brief, the human impact was unmistakable.
As the investigation moves forward, officials are asking anyone who may have seen or heard something around the time of the shooting to come forward. Witness tips can be submitted to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office or the local Crime Stoppers at (706) 821-1080. It’s hoped that additional information will help piece together the events that led to a promising life ending in abrupt tragedy.
For now, Deunte’s family, friends, and neighbors await answers, while the early-morning stillness on Deen Avenue carries a heavy weight — a reminder that behind every statistic is a person, loved and missed.