Isaiah McKnight, a 20-year-old Black man from Hephzibah, Georgia, was known to friends by the nickname "zayzay" and described as funny and cool to be around. His life was cut short in the fall of 2023 after a gunfight in south Augusta.
On the afternoon of Sunday, November 5, 2023, an encounter took place at the intersection of Glenn Hills Drive and Claudia Drive. According to authorities, Isaiah McKnight and another man, Frashawn Sankoh, were driven to the location by a third individual. Investigators allege that upon arrival, McKnight and Sankoh opened fire on two other people at the scene. Those individuals returned fire, and during the exchange, McKnight was shot at least once.
Emergency crews were called around 1 p.m. to the 3600 block of Goldfinch Drive, where McKnight lived. They found him wounded and rushed him to Wellstar MCG Health for treatment. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 12:50 p.m.
the following day, Monday, November 6. An autopsy was scheduled by the Richmond County Coroner’s Office.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigation continued for several months before suspects were publicly identified. In May 2024, authorities announced they had made an arrest and were seeking a second suspect. On May 25, police arrested 18-year-old Frashawn Sankoh, who was present with McKnight during the shooting. He was charged with murder and aggravated assault.
Investigators also issued warrants for felony murder and aggravated assault for 19-year-old Rashaun Malik McAllister-Lawrence, who they identified as the driver. Authorities described McAllister-Lawrence as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 125 pounds, and noted that he was known to frequent the Glenn Hills Drive area. He is considered armed and dangerous. Reports indicated that the individuals who returned fire, striking McKnight, were not charged, suggesting a possible case of self-defense. As of May 2024, Sankoh was in custody while McAllister-Lawrence remained wanted by law enforcement.
