Five arrested in shooting death of Augusta, GA man

Authorities arrested five Augusta teenagers tonight in the fatal shooting of a Grovetown man during what police described as a home invasion.

According to police, an unnamed 14-year-old boy and the following others now face a charge of murder in the death of 33-year-old Ricky Gibson: Willie Bernard Butler, 19; Martin Holmes, 17; Karnbi Octavious Young, 19; and Patrick Booker, 19.

Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins said Mr. Gibson was pronounced dead at 3:29 a.m. after being shot multiple times in his home at 410 Williams St. in Grovetown. Mr. Gibson, his girlfriend and their baby were in the home when men came to the door and forced their way in, Mr. Collins said. Mr. Collins said Mr. Gibson’s girlfriend and the baby escaped while being held on the front porch and heard Mr. Gibson’s screams followed by gunshots inside.

Neither the girlfriend nor the baby were struck by bullets fired in her direction as she fled the single-wide trailer, the coroner said. She was able to call 911.

The investigation is being conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Grovetown Department of Public Safety. Grovetown police Capt. Gary Owens referred all questions to GBI Special Agent in Charge Gary Nicholson, who said earlier today that he didn’t yet know the reason behind Mr. Gibson’s death.

“We’re looking at everything, but it’s way too early to know right now,” he said.