North Augusta responds to murder with rally - Aiken Standard

Two months ago, Travis Smith was murdered outside of an apartment complex in North Augusta. His killer has still not been found.

Smith became one of several victims of unsolved cases in the area. Fed up with the violence in their neighborhoods, residents of North Augusta and surrounding areas took to Lions Field to put on a "Stop the Violence" rally.

Smith's sister, Tyesha Simmons, put together the event and was taken aback as the home stands filled with family and friends of other murder victims.

"It's something I wanted to do for the community," Simmons said. "I want to let people know that this is a problem that we have to tackle as a community. I've gotten a lot of encouraging words; they are glad someone is taking a stand."

Hundreds filled the stands to pray, share stories and come together to address the issue of violence in the community.

Family and friends of Smith wore black T-shirts that read "#TEAMBOSKIE," which was Smith's nickname on the front with "84-12" on the back for the years he was born and passed.

"It's very difficult, not having a clue who did this and knowing the person's still out there," Simmons said of her brother's murder. "He lived there all his life, born and raised on Bradleyville. Everybody liked him. It was like losing a part of the community."

The N.A. Department of Public Safety was on hand to show support and address the Smith case.

"I think it's important for Public Safety to show support for the community," Lt. Tim Thorton said. "If the community and families want to do this and go to the extreme of organizing a public rally, then we're excited to have that kind of support. We're encouraged with this turnout that North Augusta is ready to stop the violence."

While Thorton said they are still looking for help with the case, "Public Safety believes we have evidence that will help us confirm the shooter."

Local churches were also represented at the rally, with Pastors Earl Carter, AJ Saunders and others on hand.

Carter was also the victim of a shooting.

On Nov. 22, 2005, an unknown assailant wielding an SKS-type assault weapon left two wounded and one dead at a Huddle House in North Augusta.

Bill Powell was killed, as the shooter continued in his attempt to carjack a vehicle.

Constance Davidson was shot in the back as she fled in her car from the Burger King drive-through on Highway 25 near I-20 in North Augusta. The assailant then ran to the Huddle House parking lot, where he shot Carter in the neck and killed Powell. From there, he moved on to Ida Mae Heath, who was at the Circle K Bojangles next door. She gave up her Oldsmobile and was unharmed. The car was found several hours later in the parking lot of the Sleep Inn with 300 additional miles on the odometer, but the shooter has never been found.

The Laura Grove Youth Choir sang a moving piece, and Simmons ended the rally by reading a list of names of murder victims around the community over the past several years, many of whom were known by members of the crowd.

The rally ended as family members of murder victims released gold and purple balloons from the middle of Lions Field.