Argie Jones, a 54-year-old Black woman, was experiencing homelessness in Augusta, Georgia, during the summer of 2024. Her son, Sheaquain Winters, later shared that his mother had long struggled with drug addiction. He had not seen her in six years and described their past interactions as chaotic because of her struggles with crack cocaine and heroin.
On the afternoon of July 27, 2024, Ms.
Jones was on the 1900 block of Ellis Street in the Harrisburg community when she was shot at least one time. Neighbors reported it was a drive-by shooting, and a witness who was nearby called her an innocent bystander. Emergency services rushed Ms. Jones to Wellstar MCH Health Hospital, where she died from her injuries four days later, on July 31.
The investigation by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office soon uncovered that the shooting was gang-related and that Ms. Jones was an unintended victim. According to arrest warrants, the attack was orchestrated by a member of the "Everybody on Loyalty Gang" who sent the Ellis Street address to fellow members in a group text, knowing they would commit a violent act against rivals at that location. Gang members then shot at the home multiple times, striking Ms. Jones, who happened to be outside.
In October 2024, authorities arrested the first suspect, 17-year-old Jayden Xavier Bell. He was charged with murder and unlawful street gang activity for allegedly sending the text that instigated the shooting. The investigation continued, and Zayquan McNair was later taken into custody during a gang raid, identified by authorities as a suspect wanted in connection with the fatal drive-by.
In January 2025, a multi-agency law enforcement team attempted to serve a grand jury arrest warrant for the murder on another suspect, 18-year-old Tracy Martin, at a residence in Martinez. Martin fled in a vehicle with another man, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit that ended when their car collided head-on with another vehicle. Martin was arrested at the crash scene and transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. As of January 2025, the cases against the accused were moving through the judicial system.
