On January 21, 2026, Richmond and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT teams responded to a standoff in the 800 block of Hay Meadow Drive, Augusta, Georgia, stemming from a domestic incident involving a firearm. The female involved escaped and received EMS treatment, while 35-year-old Rafael Moreno barricaded himself inside with multiple guns and made threats, prompting evacuations and road closures.
Incident Resolution
A negotiator communicated with Moreno for about an hour until a gunshot sounded from the residence. SWAT entered, found he had a self-inflicted wound, and provided immediate aid via RCSO medic and EMS, but Moreno was pronounced dead at 2:09 a.m. Wednesday at Wellstar/MCG.
Context
This was the second RCSO standoff that Tuesday, following an earlier shots-fired call on Fox Hall Circle. The story remains developing, with WJBF NewsChannel 6 as a key source for updates.
