UPDATE: NEW DETAILS IN AUGUSTA’S DOUBLE MURDER:
The Jail Report has learned that killer Cedric Harris’ wife officially filed for divorce just two weeks ago, a possible reason he tracked her down early Sunday and shot her, her sister and a male relative.
After the shootings, the 30-year-old suspect drove to McDuffie County and shot himself to death, authorities said.
In Augusta, authorities have not identified the shooting victims, but WRDW-TV says the suspect’s wife, April Paulk, survived the shootings but her sister and another male relative died. The TV station identified the dead as Brandi Paulk and Lee Wilson, while April Paulk is reportedly in critical condition at a local hospital.
A check of court records shows that April Paulk filed for divorce on July 5, 2013, against her husband, a man with a history of domestic abuse against her. Relatives told WRDW that Paulk was trying to get a restraining order.
In 2011, Harris was charged with tracking her down at a local park, jumping a curb and ramming her vehicle with his SUV. He received a plea deal and probation in that case, which was overseen by Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet. He also has a conviction for family violence in 2007 which led to probation.
On Sunday, authorities say the shooting took place at a home on Stanton Court. The sheriff’s office spokeswoman is remaining hush-hush on the double murder as the investigation continues. There were no updates Sunday night.
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Original Story: An Augusta man with a history of domestic abuse has killed his ex-wife and an unidentified man and injured a third person at a home in the Pepperidge subdivision, authorities say.
The suspect, 30-year-old Cedric Tobias Harris, was found later in McDuffie County with a wound that appears to be self-inflicted, sheriff’s Sgt. Monica Belser said in a press release. His condition is unknown.
Authorities have not identified the victims.
Early Sunday, deputies were called to the 3600 block of Stanton Drive for a domestic shooting.
“Deputies discovered one deceased female and one deceased male at the scene,” Sgt. Belser said in a press release. “A third victim was also shot and was transported to GRU and is now listed in critical condition.”
The sergeant said Harris is “believed to be the ex-husband of the deceased female.”
Harris has been arrested at least twice before in Richmond County for domestic issues, including a 2011 incident when he stalked his child’s mother, followed her in his SUV and rammed her vehicle in Bayvale Park after jumping a curb. The woman and another man in the car suffered minor injuries.
A judge agreed to dismiss one of two aggravated assault charges against Harris and reduce the other to criminal damage to property, handing him probation and a fine.
A 2007 case for simple battery and family violence also resulted in probation, court records show.
