In the early morning hours of May 12, 2023, a dispute that began over a lost cell phone escalated into a tragic and fatal shooting in Augusta, Georgia. The victim was 23-year-old Makala Perkins, a female lash technician. The night began with Makala and her father visiting Suz Lounge on Deans Bridge Road. After realizing her phone was missing as they were leaving, she became upset when her attempts to get help retrieving it were dismissed.
Following the initial confrontation, Makala left
the club and got into her car. Tensions continued to rise in the parking lot, where it was alleged that she drove her vehicle into another car belonging to 39-year-old Julius Morris III. After leaving the immediate area, Perkins reportedly returned around 4:30 a.m. A 911 call captured Morris telling his friend, 29-year-old Raheem Carter, to “get that b**ch.” As Perkins' vehicle approached, Carter, a convicted felon, allegedly ran towards her car and opened fire.
Perkins was struck by the gunfire and rushed to a local hospital, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. In the aftermath of the shooting, both Julius Morris III and Raheem Carter were arrested. They face charges of murder and weapons offenses. Due to his prior convictions, Carter was also charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
