The story covers an overnight shooting in Augusta, Georgia, where a 16-year-old is accused of firing into an occupied home, leaving bullets in walls and a window, and prompting a sheriff’s office warning that the suspect is “armed and dangerous.” It follows the scene details, witness statements, evidence recovered, and the sheriff’s request for tips as investigators work to locate the teen. The report also includes the exact words released by deputies about the damage found at the house and practical information for anyone with leads.
Shortly after 4:00 a.m. on May 18, deputies were called to a residence on Travis Pines Drive after multiple shots struck a home where two people were sleeping. Officers say gunfire shattered a bedroom window and struck exterior walls, throwing the household into a chaotic, terrifying scene. The sheriff’s office later identified a 16-year-old suspect and warned the public that he should be considered “armed and dangerous.”
The homeowner, 63, told deputies he and a 30-year-old woman were in a bedroom when the shooting started and that he saw several figures moving outside just before the attack. The woman fled into a bathroom and hid in a bathtub as bullets hit the house, according to reports from investigators on the scene. Moments later, the men fled the area in a Dodge Durango while the homeowner retrieved his own firearm.
‘Deputies found about four bullet holes in the bedroom window and two more in the exterior wall near the window.’
Investigators on arrival noted multiple impacts to the home and a nearby vehicle, confirming rounds had been fired into the occupied property. Two spent shell casings were recovered from the roadway and officers also located a backpack they believe was left behind by one of the suspects. Despite the rounds entering the house while two people were inside, there is no indication either resident was struck or injured in the incident.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office obtained aggravated assault warrants naming Kawung Bentley Jr. in connection with the shooting, and deputies released a wanted flyer cautioning residents not to approach the teen if they see him. Law enforcement emphasized the potential danger of confronting a person they say may be armed, urging the public to call officials instead of taking matters into their own hands. The case remains active as investigators follow leads and process the physical evidence gathered at the scene.
Neighbors described the early-morning disturbance as sudden and unnerving, and the presence of multiple shooters suggested the attack was planned rather than random. Authorities say a parked Dodge Charger nearby also sustained two gunshot hits, underscoring how close bullets came to striking others on the street. Those details have helped paint a clearer picture of what unfolded, but they also raise concerns about escalating violence in residential neighborhoods.
Deputies recovered items and traces they hope will lead them to the suspects, including the backpack found near the scene and the shell casings collected from the roadway. Investigators are combing camera footage, interviewing witnesses, and following up on tips to piece together where the group came from and where they went after the shooting. Officials stress the importance of any information from community members that could help bring the case to a swift resolution.
Deputies found about four bullet holes in the bedroom window and two more in the exterior wall near the window. A parked Dodge Charger outside the home was also struck twice by gunfire.
Investigators recovered two spent shell casings in the roadway along with a backpack believed to have been left behind by one of the suspects.
Despite the gunfire entering the occupied home, there is no indication in the incident report that either of the two people inside was struck or injured.
The Sheriff’s Office released a wanted flyer this week identifying Bentley as the suspect and warning the public not to approach him.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Kawung Bentley Jr.’s whereabouts to contact investigator Sean Morrow at 706-432-5281 or the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 706-821-1080 or 706-821-1020. Officials say even small details can make a difference, and tips can be submitted confidentially. The public notice reiterates that safety is the priority and that suspects described as potentially armed should be reported to law enforcement rather than confronted.
As the investigation continues, the neighborhood remains on edge while deputies increase patrols and follow leads. Residents expressed relief that no one was physically hurt inside the house, but they also voiced anger and concern over how close the violence came to ordinary homes. Law enforcement urges vigilance, cooperation, and immediate reporting of suspicious activity to help prevent similar incidents from happening again.
