Law enforcement officials are responding to shootings in the Harrisburg area of Augusta involving teenagers. Some of the young people involved are in custody, while authorities are still searching for others.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and Augusta University Police Department have all responded to the scene.
Five suspects are in custody and police say the area is secure now.
What We Don’t Know: This is an active situation, so many details are unknown. We do not yet know the exact time and location of the shootings, how many teenagers were involved, whether anyone was injured or killed, what prompted the shootings, or the identities of those in custody.
It’s also unclear how many suspects remain at large.
Take Action: If you have information about the shooting, contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. If you see suspicious activity, call 911 immediately but do not approach any suspects, as they may be armed and dangerous.
How to Read and Understand the News
Truth doesn’t bend because we dislike it.
Facts don’t vanish when they make us uncomfortable.
Events happen whether we accept them or not.
Good reporting challenges us. The press isn’t choosing sides — it’s relaying what official, verified sources say. Blaming reporters for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Americans have a history of misunderstanding simple things. In the 1980s, A&W rolled out a 1/3-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. It failed because too many people thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If we can botch basic math, we can certainly misread the news.
Before dismissing a story, ask yourself:
- What evidence backs this?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I just shooting the messenger?
And one more: Am I assuming bias just because I don’t like the story?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not comfort.
