Suspect in Augusta Shooting Considered Dangerous

A 16-year-old is being sought for allegedly firing into a home in Augusta, Georgia, last month. Officials warn the community to consider him “armed and dangerous.”

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has issued an aggravated assault warrant for Coun Bentley Jr., linked to the incident on May 18 at the 2300 block of Travis Pines Drive.

Around 4:17 a.m., deputies responded to calls reporting shots fired at a residence occupied by two individuals.

The 63-year-old homeowner recounted that he and a 30-year-old woman were in the bedroom when the gunfire shattered the window. In a panic, the woman ran to the bathroom, taking shelter in the bathtub as the bullets struck the house.

Prior to the shooting, the homeowner noticed four men lurking outside. He later grabbed his firearm as they fled in a Dodge Durango.

Police reported finding four bullet holes in the bedroom window and two more in the exterior wall nearby. A Dodge Charger parked outside was also hit twice. Investigators recovered two spent shell casings from the street, along with a backpack thought to belong to one of the suspects. Fortunately, no one inside the home was injured.

The sheriff’s office recently released a wanted poster for Bentley, urging the public to avoid approaching him.

In a related incident, four children were home alone when shots were fired at their residence. Their mother indicated this might have been retaliation after her 14-year-old son was assaulted during a school fight.

If anyone knows Bentley’s whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact Investigator Sean Morrow at 706-432-5281 or the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 706-821-1080 or 706-821-1020.