In the early hours of Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the stillness of Augusta, Georgia, was shattered by a senseless act of violence that claimed the life of a three-year-old boy and left a community reeling. On the 1100 block of New Savannah Road, a barrage of gunfire tore through a home, leaving devastation in its wake. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to the chilling scene just after 1 a.m., where deputies discovered a mother and her young son, both gravely wounded by bullets that pierced their home. This is the story of a tragedy that has gripped Augusta, a tale of loss, resilience, and a desperate search for answers.

The victims, identified as 40-year-old Cherrelle Murray and her three-year-old son, Bryson Murray, were found suffering from gunshot wounds in a home that should have been a sanctuary. Both were rushed to Wellstaremergency room, where medical staff fought to save their lives. Tragically, young Bryson, a child full of promise, was pronounced dead at 2:20 a.m. by Dr. Robyn Hatley. The coroner’s office, led by Mark Bowen, later confirmed the heartbreaking loss, identifying the toddler as Bryson Murray of Augusta. An autopsy is pending to determine the precise cause of death, though the wounds he sustained were undeniably fatal. Cherrelle Murray, Bryson’s mother, was also injured in the attack, her condition cloaked in uncertainty as authorities have yet to release details about her recovery.

The shooting didn’t just claim Bryson’s life and wound his mother; it also targeted two others inside the home, 39-year-old Julie Lace and 40-year-old Willie Lewis, who were named as victims of aggravated assault. Miraculously, neither Lace nor Lewis was physically harmed, though the terror of bullets ripping through their residence left an indelible mark. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has since classified the incident as a homicide, and the investigation has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division, where detectives are piecing together the events that led to this horrific act.

As the investigation unfolded, authorities zeroed in on two individuals for questioning: Willie Lewis and 30-year-old Shynice Lashay Cannida, both known to frequent the Allen Homes area. Lewis, described as a 40-year-old Black male, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 175 pounds, remains a key figure in the case. While he has not been charged, investigators believe he holds critical information that could unlock the motive behind the shooting. The public has been urged to come forward with any knowledge of his whereabouts, with authorities providing contact numbers for Investigator Tyler Steerman and the Violent Crimes Division: 706-821-1427 or 706-821-1020. Meanwhile, Cannida, initially sought for questioning, was located, interviewed, and released, leaving Lewis as the primary focus of the sheriff’s outreach.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Allen Homes neighborhood, where neighbors expressed their heartbreak and fear in the wake of the shooting. One resident, speaking to NewsChannel 6, revealed the chilling context of the incident, noting that an argument had been brewing in the neighborhood earlier that afternoon. “It was escalating,” said Freeman, a local resident, who described a tense atmosphere marked by “beefing” and gun-waving that culminated in the deadly gunfire. The loss of Bryson, a child described as innocent and full of life, has left the community grappling with grief and frustration. Freeman, who has been working to curb violence in the area, lamented the recurrence of such tragedies, pointing to a troubling trend of children caught in the crossfire of Augusta’s gun violence.

Adding a layer of sorrow to the story, neighbors shared that Cherrelle Murray had already endured unimaginable loss, having buried her husband just months earlier. Now, struck by bullets and mourning her son, she faces a pain no mother should ever know. The community’s anguish is palpable, with residents like Freeman calling for an end to the cycle of violence that has claimed too many lives. “Guns won’t solve anything,” one neighbor told authorities, echoing a sentiment shared by Sheriff Eugene Brantley, who has advocated for curfews and tough conversations to steer youth away from violence.

As Augusta mourns, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office continues its relentless pursuit of justice for Bryson Murray and his family. The investigation remains in its early stages, with detectives working tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the shooting. The community, too, is rallying, urged to provide any information that could bring clarity to this dark chapter. For now, the memory of a three-year-old boy, taken too soon, lingers in the hearts of those who knew him and those who now vow to honor his life by seeking answers and peace.