Marion Reynolds, a 50-year-old Augusta man, was remembered by loved ones for his spirituality, his infectious sense of humor, and a deep-seated willingness to help anyone he could. His daughter, Marina Reynolds, described him as “loving, he was fun, he was real spirited.” His niece, Lavonia McBride, recalled how he could skillfully use humor to defuse a sad situation and make it funny.
This warmth extended to his community, where he was a familiar and welcome presence at businesses along Wrightsboro Road. A grill cook at a local McDonald’s, Wilford Johnson, said Reynolds would often help people in the area, including those experiencing homelessness. “He will try to help anybody,” Johnson said. Reynolds had a nickname for everyone, often calling people “king” as a way to spread love and respect.
The morning of October 14, 2026, began with violence that shattered the lives of Reynolds and his family. Just hours after McBride had been with him, Richmond County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the 3400 block of Wrightsboro Road around 5:40 a.m. following reports of gunfire. In the parking lot of the Augusta Beverage Center, near the Bobby Jones Expressway, they discovered two men who had each been shot at least once. One of the men, later identified as Marion Reynolds, was unresponsive. Both victims were rushed to local hospitals for treatment. Reynolds was taken to the emergency room at Doctors Hospital, but his injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at 6:25 a.m. The second man was last reported to be in critical condition.
The investigation began immediately as deputies cordoned off the parking lot with caution tape. Investigators placed evidence markers on the ground while portions of Wrightsboro Road were temporarily closed. At the scene, deputies detained Jacob Mark Pennington, an 18-year-old from Stone Mountain, Georgia. After being taken to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning, Pennington was arrested and transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office charged Jacob Mark Pennington with a slate of serious crimes: murder, aggravated assault, two counts of armed robbery, and possession of a firearm or knife during a crime. The case is currently proceeding through the court system. As of late October 2026, the investigation was considered ongoing, and authorities had not released further details about what may have led to the shooting or the specific circumstances of the armed robbery charges.
In the wake of their devastating loss, Marion Reynolds’ family turned their grief into a call for peace. His daughter Marina and niece Lavonia McBride began holding daily demonstrations at the site of his death. Holding signs with messages like “stop the violence,” “put the guns down,” and “we are kings and queens,” they aimed to raise awareness about the destructive impact of gun violence. “We might bring awareness to that because there’s too many people leaving from senseless crimes,” McBride said. The family also started a fundraiser to cover his burial expenses, receiving support from local businesses, including a liquor store that offered its parking lot for their demonstrations.
The family’s message of love and hope resonated within the community, which was grappling with a series of violent incidents. Rev. Anthony Walker of CSRA Community in Action spoke about the need to find better ways to resolve conflict before it turns deadly. For his part, Marion Reynolds is remembered as a man who brought light and laughter to those around him. His daughter Marina shared his advice: “Never say goodbye. Never say bye. It’s always see you later. And never frown because a frown sticks to your face. Keep a smile on your face.” The case against Jacob Mark Pennington remains in litigation as of October 2026.
