In the autumn of 2023, the life of Ricky Bernard Cooper, a 55-year-old man from Augusta, Georgia, was tragically cut short in an act of violence that unfolded at a local convenience store. On a Thursday evening in October, deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the Mom & Pop store located in the 2000 block of Broad Street following reports of gunfire.
The call came in at approximately 7:35 p.m., signaling the start of a grim evening for the community.
Upon their arrival at the scene, law enforcement officers discovered Cooper had sustained at least one gunshot wound. Emergency medical services were promptly called, and he was transported to Wellstar MCG for treatment. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, Cooper succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 8:02 p.m. The Richmond County Coroner's Office confirmed his identity and that the cause of death was the gunshot wound. Following the established protocol, an autopsy was scheduled to be performed to gather further evidence for the investigation.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, investigators began their work, canvassing the area for evidence and seeking any information from the public that could lead to the identification of a suspect or suspects. At the time, the Richmond County Sheriff's Office did not release any details regarding a potential motive or any persons of interest. As of the latest available reports, the investigation into the death of Ricky Bernard Cooper was still considered ongoing, with no public announcements made regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in connection to the homicide.
