‘Going to kill someone’: New details released in double slaying in North Augusta

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A man accused of shooting and killing two people at a North Augusta gas station was in court for the first time Thursday afternoon, according to authorities.

J’Shawn Deontae Dukes, of Statesboro, was booked into the Aiken County Detention Center on Wednesday around 5:30 p.m. after being moved from the Richmond County jail.

He is being held on two counts of murder, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

According to the arrest warrants, the weapon used was identified as an American Tactical Alpha Maxx .223/5.56 caliber.

Witnesses implicated Dukes as the shooter, and family members stated Dukes said he was “going to kill someone” earlier on the day of the incident, the warrants state.

A judge said each murder charge carries 30 years to life. Dukes also faces possession of a weapon during a violent crime, which carries up to five years, and presenting a firearm, which could result in up to 10 years in prison.

A judge denied bond for the weapons charges but sent the case to another judge to address the murder charges.

Aiken County mug:

Richmond County mug:

Dukes was shot by a North Augusta officer after he allegedly fatally shot two people on Oct. 26.

Dukes was transported to an Augusta hospital for treatment after the shooting.

The shooting happened at the Sprint convenience store, 107 Edgefield Road.

While officers were on the way, they learned someone in the store had been shot.

Officers arrived within minutes and saw a Black male wearing a light red shirt carrying a rifle – later described as an AR-style rifle. The incident report states that he was walking away from a burgundy Toyota Camry parked near the front of the store.

Officers exited their patrol vehicles (with emergency lighting activated) and ordered him to drop his weapon.

The suspect then pointed the weapon toward the officers, which was captured on an in-car camera. according to the report.

In response, Cpl. D. Givens fired his department-issued duty firearm, striking Dukes, according to the report.

Officers secured Dukes and then immediately began rendering medical aid until medical crews could get there.

Additional officers entered the Sprint gas station to secure the building.

READ THE FULL REPORT:

Once inside the business, deputies found the victims — Jewel Harden, 76, and Thomas Lilly Jr., 33 — with gunshot wounds near the front register area.

The store employees had locked themselves inside the office for safety, according to the report.

After ensuring the building was secure, officers returned to their vehicles to retrieve medical equipment and began rendering aid to the victims.

Emergency medical crews were called to the scene and arrived quickly. Several additional officers also arrived to assist.

The investigation is being handled by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which is typical when an officer shoots someone in the state. SLED will continue the criminal investigation.

No officers were injured in the incident.