A mugshot has been released of the Augusta woman accused of shooting a deputy after running from a traffic stop with her 5-year-old son on Thursday.
Le’Deeja Zavionna Harvey, 25, was finally booked into the Richmond County Detention Center on Saturday after being transported from the hospital. She is shown with a smirk on her face.
According to the GBI, she is facing charges of two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, weapon possession, and child cruelty.
Harvey, 25, of Augusta, was also shot during return fire that also caused minor injuries to her child after a bullet from deputies struck a window, cutting the boy with glass. Until now, Harvey had only traffic charges and no pre-existing warrants, authorities said.
The GBI is investigating the officer-involved shooting, that injured Deputy John Tarpley. He was wearing a bullet-proof vest but was struck just above the vest.
According to the GBI, Deputy Tarpley had stopped a car with Harvey and a male driver in it. While Deputy Tarpley was speaking with the driver, Harvey began walking away from the car with her 5-year-old son.
Deputy Tarpley asked Harvey to stay in the car, but she refused to stay in the car, the GBI said in a statement. Harvey was walking towards her home when Deputy Tarpley asked Deputy Dontavion Jones to detain Harvey.
“Deputy Jones attempted to detain Harvey at the entrance of her home which resulted in a struggle between Harvey and Deputy Jones,” the GBI said. “During the struggle, Harvey pulled a revolver from her purse and fired multiple rounds at the deputies. Deputy Tarpley was shot as he was entering the home to assist Deputy Jones.”
Jones fired his service weapon, hitting Harvey. Harvey left and was taken into custody at 2722 Margaret Court in Augusta. She was taken to Augusta University Medical Center for treatment.
Deputy Tarpley was taken to Augusta University Medical Center for treatment and has been discharged.
Harvey has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, weapon possession, and child cruelty.
In their Friday statement, the GBI said Harvey had been released from the hospital and was currently incarcerated at the Richmond County Jail.
Once the GBI completes its independent investigation it will be given to the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.
District Attorney Jared Williams released his own statement:
“I am sickened and saddened by the violence that occurred yesterday afternoon against one of our Richmond County Sheriff’s Deputies while he was doing his job. Our community is fed up with shootings, and now more than ever we need officers who protect our citizens. To turn a gun on one of our peace officers is a vile act of someone with a malignant heart, and any such violence will result in my office using every tool at the disposal of the State to remove you from our community. Keep your guns off our officers. Keep your guns off our citizens. We will keep fighting for the soul and safety of our community.”
In a press conference, Sheriff Richard Roundtree condemned the shooting of a deputy.
“It is one of the worst feelings you can have as a leader of an agency,” he said.
He said it was a “senseless act” by a woman with “no regard” for her life or the life of her child.
“At no point would you think that a mother would pull a gun on two deputies” with her child in danger, the sheriff said.
