In the late summer of 2024, tragedy befell a 73-year-old Augusta man, Larry Drayton, forever altering the quiet of his neighborhood. On the night of August 9th, while asleep in his home in the 1900 block of Gay Drive, Drayton was struck by a bullet to the back of the head. The shot was one of several fired into his residence from outside.
Initially surviving the grievous wound, he was transported to Wellstar MCG for immediate medical attention.
Drayton, a Black male born on November 12, 1950, fought for his life for seventeen days. He was later transferred to Pruitt Healthcare Nursing Facility in Augusta, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries on August 26, 2024. His death prompted the Richmond County Sheriff's Office to launch a homicide investigation into the shooting.
Larry Drayton was known as a self-made entrepreneur who had built a life in the Augusta area. He was a husband to Johnnie Drayton and a father. His passing left a void in his family and the community that knew him. Funeral services were held to honor his memory, with a viewing and a Celebration of Life, followed by his burial.
Despite the ongoing investigation by the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, no suspects have been publicly identified or arrested in connection with the shooting. The circumstances surrounding the motive for the attack on Drayton's home remain unclear, leaving his family and community searching for answers and awaiting justice.
