Update: Chaos erupts at Cherry Tree Crossing housing projects

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By Steve Kuzj skuzj@nbcaugusta.com

Story Published: Dec 15, 2008 at 2:16 AM EDT

Story Updated: Dec 15, 2008 at 9:07 PM EDT

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Chaos erupted at the Cherry Tree Apartments Sunday evening after police shot a man who allegedly tried to run them over with his car.

Around a hundred people took to the streets and set fire to several dumpsters.

Angry residents threw rocks and glass bottles at fire fighters and police—holding them back from dealing with the fires. The mob even attacked NBC Augusta 26 News.

Dozens of gun shots could be heard as the air filled with the smell of gun powder and burnt trash.

Police rushed back to the scene in full force and prepared for a clash with the mob. They suited up with riot gear, defense sticks, some carried fully-automatic assault rifles.

After deputies announced anyone caught outside would be arrested, the crowd slowly dispersed.

Deputies patrolled the area throughout the night in an effort to keep the peace.


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Tuesday, Dec 16 at 2:11 PM LEO wrote ...

This drug dealer was driving recklessly through the neighborhood in a STOLEN VEHICLE. People should be more concerned about why there were so many children from this neighborhood out of school on Monday. This guy chose his path in life and should be used as an example of what is not the right way to live. He was a known drug dealer with an extensive record.......what a hero! It doesn't matter where you live, you should take pride in yourself and do what you know is right.

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Monday, Dec 15 at 6:28 PM Dennis wrote ...

Also, when firemen got there and were assulted why were those responsible not arrested?????

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Monday, Dec 15 at 6:24 PM Dennis wrote ...

I wonder if you surounded that place then went door to door, wonder how much illigal drugs and guns would be found??? But now you have trouble. The black panthers are there to find JUSTICE!! Jesse and Al will be there before long then the city will have to pay lots of money for this.

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Monday, Dec 15 at 6:11 PM tabbit5 wrote ...

the only reason they're raising so much heck is because he was proably their drug dealer and they don't want anything to happen to him!!!!!

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Monday, Dec 15 at 5:13 PM lived there in the 60s wrote ...

Some things never change. Rioting doesn't solve anything. It makes the rioters look stupid.

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Monday, Dec 15 at 4:27 PM Bob wrote ...

The shooting "victim" had a prior record! Gee, didn't see this coming...every time the "victim" wears a halo and is the sweetest person around. So, the police are just supposed to let someone run them over? Why are people defending this guy anyway? If I had my way I'd give the cops a promotion for risking their lives protecting people who seem to hate them anyway. No wonder the cops are rarely in a hurry to answer a 911 from a bad neighborhood.

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Monday, Dec 15 at 2:28 PM BREE026 wrote ...

IN RESPONSE TO SB.... AMEN.. YOU ARE SO RIGHT.. I HATE THIS PROJECT... I WILL BE GLAD WHEN I FINISH SCHOOL AND MOVE TO A BETTER PLACE... GOD BLESS...

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Monday, Dec 15 at 2:13 PM Golden Boy wrote ...

I don’t see how anyone can defend a criminal act. I don’t understand why anyone would “choose” to live in an environment such as that. This is not a black/white thing because I’m black and I’m just as sick of the crime that goes on in those areas as the whites. Sure, you have the idiots that like to make everything racist and they are both black and white, but intelligent people don’t defend crime, regardless of color or race. We have to realize that, yes, police do govern the streets of whi

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Monday, Dec 15 at 12:18 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The only reason they got upset is because you took their drugs off the street. Good for you RCPD. Keep cleaning up our streets.

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Monday, Dec 15 at 12:14 PM Melissa wrote ...

I don't understand why the people who live there would get so angry about the police doing their job. It sounds to me like they were defending the person they buy their drugs from. There's no other explanation as to why the residents woul dnot wwant a bad person off the street.

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Monday, Dec 15 at 11:26 AM BREE026 wrote ...

In response to butch palmer.. I agree with 100% that this pure project trash mentality, and also stupid.. but there are still some good people who lives in the area, like me.. I have a high school diploma and I am working as a phlebotomist in a local hospital... I am full-time nursing student(RN) in college... I have never been in trouble with the law, I have no children and no family in augusta, ga.. I live in this project because my mother died.. I hate this project.. God bless....

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Monday, Dec 15 at 11:12 AM Laurieview wrote ...

Why would anyone say they love this? What kind of person are you - an anarchist?

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Monday, Dec 15 at 10:28 AM Ralph wrote ...

The deputies shot the suspect in self-defense.

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Monday, Dec 15 at 10:17 AM SB wrote ...

THIS IS SAD AND UNCALLED FOR.I AM A 25 YR OLD BLACK FEMALE AND I AM JUST DISGUSTED WITH THE WHOLE IDEA.BLACK PEOPLE WONDER WHY WE GET STEROTYPED SO MUCH BECAUSE OF STUPID DUMB STUFF LIKE THIS.I GUESS THEY FELT THEY HAD TO SHOW THERE A@@ TO GET ATTENTION AND ACT A FOOL ON TV.

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Monday, Dec 15 at 9:37 AM NESHA wrote ...

IT DIDNT HAVE 2 GO DOWN LIKE THAT BUT I HOPE HE IS ALRIGHT U ARE IN MY PRAYERS

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Monday, Dec 15 at 9:18 AM Butch Dalmer wrote ...

I love it.

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