Demarion Drinks, 19, of Augusta was booked Saturday in Richmond County on murder and firearm charges after authorities said 44-year-old Tyrone Whitaker was found shot to death along Boy Scout Road. Whitaker was identified by the Richmond County Coroner’s Office after his body was found near Rae’s Creek on Saturday morning.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said Drinks was arrested shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday at his home with help from the agency’s SWAT team and Criminal Investigation Division. Booking records show he was charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Coroner Mark Bowen said Whitaker, of Augusta, was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:52 a.m. after being shot at least once. An autopsy has been scheduled, and the sheriff’s office has not released a motive or other details about what led to the killing.
Authorities have released little about the investigation, but the sheriff’s office said investigators determined Drinks was responsible for shooting Whitaker and that he admitted to shooting him. Investigators also recovered four .380-caliber shell casings near the scene, according to authorities. The homicide remains under investigation.
