Multiple brawls broke out in downtown Augusta, Georgia, early Sunday morning, resulting in several arrests being made. The violent fights on the 800 block of Broad Street were filmed and have since gone viral on Facebook.
In the video of the chaotic scenes, unruly crowds clashed in the presence of Richmond County deputies who were scrambling to restore order in the area. It is unclear what started the fight, but the videos show women pulling each other’s hair and striking each other while men throw punches.
Deputies had to use force to separate several individuals and tackle at least two persons on the floor. Officers also deploy batons and handcuffs to subdue the rowdy individuals. According to Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard, the arrests were confirmed, but the identities of those detained have not been released.
The altercation coincided with the annual Masters Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club, a day typically marked by celebration and high-profile sporting events. However, downtown Augusta turned into a battleground as the unrest spread along Broad Street. The cause of the brawls is still unclear.
In response, the sheriff’s office released a statement commending their team’s swift action and proactive measures, which they believe helped prevent the situation from escalating into something far more dangerous, such as a shooting incident.
“Without our proactive patrols and increased presence during the early morning hours—especially around 3:00 a.m.—these types of disturbances have in the past escalated into gunfire,” the statement read. The statement also informed that Sheriff Gino Brantley has since assigned two deputies per block on weekends, a move aimed at curbing potential violence and ensuring public safety.
Officials emphasised that anyone caught engaging in violent behaviour is detained, as well as those interfering with law enforcement. The department further noted that they maintain a 16-passenger transport van on standby to assist in quickly moving unruly individuals away from sensitive areas.
Residents have been urged to avoid large, chaotic scenes and to leave establishments at closing time to prevent becoming entangled in disputes that can rapidly turn dangerous. “What may appear to be a minor dispute can quickly turn dangerous in a crowd,” the statement warned.
