Shots Fired at Car with Infant Leads to Richmond County Arrest and Drug Bust

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence on Reese Avenue after a report of a vehicle being struck by gunfire. The vehicle’s occupants told deputies the shooting occurred after a verbal altercation with unknown individuals in a silver sedan at a convenience store on Peach Orchard Road.

While the victims were driving near Peach Orchard Road and Woodward Avenue, multiple gunshots were fired at their vehicle. An infant was in the car, but no injuries were reported.

The Criminal Investigation Division collected shell casings and reviewed surveillance footage. CID Intel identified a suspect vehicle and issued a BOLO.

At 4:47 p.m. the same day, Deputy Nicholas Boyd located the vehicle near Bahama Drive. After conducting a traffic stop, the driver and passenger were detained. Deputies discovered illegal narcotics and a handgun modified with a “Glock switch” to function as a fully automatic weapon.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of:

A machine gun (converted handgun)
Fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana
Drug paraphernalia including a digital scale
Cellphones and cash indicative of drug distribution

The driver, Rodriquez Brown, a convicted felon, admitted ownership of the firearm and drugs. He resisted arrest but was taken into custody. Evidence including the vehicle, weapon, drugs, and cash were seized.

Charges filed against Brown include:

Trafficking fentanyl (felony)
Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute (felony)
Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute (felony)
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (felony)
Possession of a machine gun (felony)
Obstruction of a law enforcement officer (felony)
Additional charges are pending

“This type of reckless and violent behavior will never be tolerated in Richmond County. As you can see, we will follow through on every lead to remove violent offenders from our streets. I commend the officers of the Road Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division, Intel Division, and Crime Suppression Team for working closely together to resolve this situation quickly and prevent further violence in our community. I’m especially thankful that no one, including the infant in the vehicle, was hurt. Let me also be clear—those who choose to resist a lawful arrest or endanger our deputies will be held fully accountable under the law,” said Sheriff Gino Brantley.