In the early morning hours of November 25, 2023, the life of 28-year-old Deonte Ma'Lik Sledge was cut short in Augusta, Georgia. A Black/African American male, Sledge was discovered inside his 2011 Silver Ford Flex on the 2500 block of Blackstone Street West, the victim of a fatal shooting. The Richmond County Coroner's Office reported that officers were dispatched to the scene around 4:21 a.m. following reports of gunfire.
Sledge was pronounced dead at the scene approximately 45 minutes later.
The investigation into Sledge's death, which marked the 35th homicide in Augusta for 2023, has yet to result in any arrests. The motive behind the shooting remains officially undisclosed by law enforcement. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office has appealed to the public for any information regarding the death of Deonte Malik Sledge.
Sledge was known by the nickname 'Pill Cosby' and was active on social media, where he was open about his dealings in marijuana and pills. He had a history of legal issues, including a 2019 sentence of five years probation after pleading guilty to charges related to drug dealing. Despite his past, friends and family remembered him as a family man who was dedicated to his children. Funeral services for Sledge were held on December 4, 2023, at Broadway Baptist Church in Augusta.
