The Augusta man who was shot by four deputies on Saturday night has a history of violence and drug arrests, The Jail Report has learned.
Letorris Jamal McDuffie, 25, is shown above in just five of his previous seven arrests in Richmond County on charges that include drug dealing, domestic violence, armed robbery, and weapon offenses. He was not convicted on all of those charges as the justice system let him off with probation in many cases. In the armed robbery case, prosecutors let him plead down to a theft offense and gave him a year in prison with credit for time served. They also dropped the weapon charge.
(McDuffie’s current mugshot has not been released. Check back here for updates.)
On Saturday night, the repeat offender was involved in a domestic dispute and led officers on a short chase before crashing on Jackson Road, according to a GBI press release.
McDuffie then ran from his vehicle and shot at the deputy who chased him, failing to hit the officer. The suspect was found hiding behind a building at Heritage Circle Apartments, where he fired at several officers as they approached.
“Four deputies returned fire striking the male subject in the leg,” a GBI press release says. “Deputies provided first aid to the male subject until EMS could respond. The male subject was transported to Augusta University Medical Center where he was treated and released for his injuries.” He was then taken to jail.
A records check shows McDuffie had several outstanding warrants for his arrest. No deputies were injured in the gunfight.
Those officers involved in the shooting are identified as Sgt. Cory Carlyle, Deputy Brandon Crawford, Deputy Corey Whitfield and Investigator Matt Perkins. They have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the GBI and the Internal Affairs Division of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Background. In a 2017 domestic violence incident, the suspect’s live-in girlfriend said McDuffie struck her in the head and grabbed her by the neck. She said McDuffie threw the covers over her and started hitting her in the head, but she got free from the covers and ran towards the door.
As she was fleeing, McDuffie grabbed her by the neck from behind as she screamed for help. The woman had to take her young children, who witnessed the assault, and hide until deputies arrived.
Also, in a 2016 incident, McDuffie successfully ran from deputies who were investigating a loitering incident at a local convenience store. A deputy tried to taze him but missed, and McDuffie was able to escape. A warrant was issued for obstruction in that case
For more crime news, pick up the latest issue of The Jail Report.
