Across the area

Driver is shot in jaw after refusing ride to stranger

An Augusta man was shot in the jaw Wednesday morning after refusing to give a man a ride.

Terrell Tavaris Merriweather, 19, was driving home from work at 2:14 a.m. when he was flagged down by a man on Jackson Road, according to Richmond County sheriff's Sgt. Calvin Chew.

The man, who was described only as being black, asked for a ride, Sgt. Chew said. After Mr. Merriweather refused and began to drive away, he was struck by a bullet that passed through his jaw.

He continued driving and eventually lost control of his car and ran into a car parked at 1419 Wedgewood Drive.

He collapsed in the yard and was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital, where he is in serious condition, Sgt. Chew said.

Jackson Road connects Wrightsboro Road and Walton Way.

Advance voting open in District 22 race

Advance voting for the District 22 state Senate election continues through Thursday, according to Lynn Bailey, the executive director of the Richmond County Board of Elections.

Locations are the Board of Elections main office, 530 Greene St., Room 104; Henry Brigham Recreation Center, 2463 Golden Camp Road; and Warren Road Recreation Center, 300 Warren Road. Voting hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Voting by mail also is available through Thursday.

For more information, visit the Board of Elections Web site at www.augustaga.gov or call (706) 821-2340.

Shooting of teen in Salley ruled suicide

The death of a Salley teenager has been ruled a suicide.

An autopsy was conducted on Brian Conner, 16, on Wednesday morning. He died from a severe head injury from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Brian's friends were present at the time of the shooting and gave statements consistent with his injuries.

"According to witnesses, Mr. Conner put one live round into the revolver, spun the chamber and pulled the trigger," Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said in a news release.

Aiken County sheriff's Sgt. Dave Myers said the shooting could be considered a game of Russian roulette, but it is unclear whether the teenager was playing a game or "mishandling the gun."

Toxicology results are pending.

About 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, emergency crews arrived at Brian's home on Windsor Road, where he had been shot. He died at Medical College of Georgia Hospital.

Three suspects sought in Monetta shooting

Aiken County authorities are searching for three suspects connected to a Tuesday night shooting in Monetta.

Jerica Tyler, of Batesburg, was shot twice on the right side of his body about 8 p.m. on Rankin Road, Aiken County sheriff's Sgt. Dave Myers said in a news release. He was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital, but his condition hasn't been released.

Witnesses say three black males met the victim at the steps of a home as Mr. Tyler was leaving, shot him and ran into a wooded area, Sgt. Myers said.

A tracking team searched the area most of Tuesday night.

Anyone with information can contact the sheriff's office at (800) 922-9709 or Crime Stoppers of the Midlands at (888) CRIMESC. Callers will remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of between $50 and $1,000.

Copper theft causes $7,500 in damages

Nearly $7,500 in damage was done to air-conditioning units at a North Augusta apartment building Wednesday.

Five air-conditioning units at Pine Crest Apartments at 400 Swiss St. were stripped of copper coils, according to a North Augusta Department of Public Safety report.

A witness reported seeing a man in his late 40s to early 50s walking next to the units about 11:45 a.m. holding what appeared to be bolt cutters. The witness gave police a model and tag number for the suspect's vehicle.

Officers found the vehicle in front of a home in the 1200 block of Nocturne Lane with burglary tools visible on the front seat. They arrested a man living at the home for a bench warrant through Kershaw County, but they have not charged him in connection with the copper theft.