Teen Sought in Deadly Augusta Grocery Store Shooting
A 16-year-old boy is wanted for murder in connection with the death of a man at Smart Grocery in the 3200 block of Wrightsboro Road December 11.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Investigators are searching for Sanquan Berry of Augusta in connection with the death of 32-year-old Jeremiah Emmanuel Griffin last month. According to the incident report, Berry allegedly shot Griffin during a fight, then left the scene in a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Tashanna Renee McDaniel. Authorities say McDaniel was arrested two days later and charged with Murder. Berry’s name had been redacted from McDaniel’s arrest warrant.
Today, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced Berry is wanted for Griffin’s murder.
Sanqwon Berry
Description of Sanqwon Berry
- Black
- 5’7″
- 125 pounds
When taken into custody, Berry will be charged with Murder and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. He should be considered armed and dangerous.
If You Have Information
- Contact any on-duty Investigator with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 821-1020 or (706) 821-1080.
Smart Grocery has been the site of at least nine shootings in recent years. Two of them have been fatal, including the one in December.
Fatal Shooting at Smart Grocery in September, 2022
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigated another deadly shooting at Smart Grocery on Wrightsboro Road less than two years ago. Investigators said 17-year-old Zayquantez Jones of Augusta was shot and killed at the store in September, 2022. They arrested 17-year-old Darontaye Cummings of Augusta and charged him with Murder, Possession of a Firearm during a Crime, and Possession of an Article with Altered Identification.
Since 2017, there have been incidents of shots fired either near or at Smart Grocery resulting from fights, verbal altercations and in one case, even a road rage incident.
Prior to the December, 2023 shooting that claimed Griffin’s life, a man was shot at the store in July, but authorities said his injuries were not life-threatening.
The store is not far from some apartment complexes, which officials say have been riddled with violence and crime.
