Violence Comes With Territory For Homeless

Augusta, GA—The body of David Dunaway was found beneath a Riverwatch Parkway bridge, over the Augusta Canal, on Tuesday. He has been killed by a blow to the head. Dunaway was known at the Augusta Salvation Army, where he sometimes came in seeking services.

“Violence can erupt with people who are living in these circumstances where resources are hard to find this is the first time we’ve had something to this magnitude that we’ve heard about,” said Rebecca Wallace, of the Salvation Army.

We met a man across the street from the Salvation Army who says he’s been on the streets for eight or nine years. He said his name is Rick, but he did not want to give his last name.

He says he knows first hand the violence that can occur when it comes to having to make a bed for a night, under an Augusta bridge.

“Yeah, about a year ago, a fellow hit me in the head with a beer bottle and robbed me while I was asleep. I mean, I understand it’s a dangerous situation out here,” he said.

L.O.T.S Ministries, on Broad Street, provides meals and worship services to Augusta’s homeless and needy. Here, the death of David Dunaway did not go unnoticed; it was mentioned from the pulpit at Friday’s service.

“It’s a shame that somebody that’s at the low point of their life would lose their life but there is a God that cares about us,” said Bishop John Aguilar.

For those here, every day is a struggle, now they are facing the murder of a person who shared a similar plight.

“They talk about it the same way you and I do. I know they are afraid when night comes, ‘will I be next the thing.‘ I can say about that is keep on praying,” said Pastor Leon Jones, Sr.

“You’ve got to be cautious, but you also are going to be sleeping and you’re not on guard when you are sleeping. It’s just a hit or miss thing, you just got to be lucky, you just have to find a good place to sleep, where you are not vulnerable,” said Rick.

Rick says he has been interviewed by deputies, but the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says there are no new leads in the case.