Shooting by deputies in Augusta angers crowds

The shooting of a man by sheriff's deputies at an Augusta public housing complex has prompted area residents to confront law enforcement officials at least twice.

Deputies shot and critically injured Justin Elmore when he apparently rammed his vehicle into their patrol cars. Officials say the shooting happened in self-defense. Witnesses, many who lived in the Cherry Tree Crossing housing project where the shooting happened, have a different story. They say they believe Elmore was not trying to kill or injure the deputies.

An angry mob, some say as many as 200 people, confronted deputies at Cherry Tree after the shooting on Sunday, throwing rocks and bottles, setting dumpster fires and hurling insults. Elmore died on Tuesday, and another confrontation with law enforcement officials followed that evening at a candlelight vigil in his memory. Officials say four people were arrested for disorderly conduct at the vigil.

Protests often follow police shootings, but the one at Cherry Tree was particularly intense. Even though Elmore didn't live at the complex, he had friends there and was very popular, which may partly explain the crowd's actions. Several Cherry Tree residents either saw the shooting or heard the shots and believe Elmore was innocent.

Officials with the Augusta Housing Authority say the two officers involved in the shooting were among 12-15 Richmond County sheriff's deputies assigned solely to public housing complexes in the city. They say this arrangement has existed for about ten years, and that residents of the complexes have previously told authority officials that they feel more secure with the increased police presence.

Officials with the Richmond County sheriff's department, meanwhile, did not return phone calls seeking comment about the shooting or the confrontations. But Sheriff Ronnie Strength has said it appears the officers acted appropriately.

Meanwhile, housing officials said Wednesday that it appears the situation at Cherry Tree has calmed down. State patrol officers were among law enforcement authorities patrolling the complex.

The shooting is still under investigation.