Police blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office:
School shooting incident investigated
Police officially opened an investigation Wednesday into a shooting incident at Augusta Preparatory Day School that was not reported to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office when it occurred in May.
The incident, in which no one was hurt, occurred May 5 on school property and involved four Augusta Prep pupils, according to a letter sent to parents May 24 by Jack Hall, the head of schools. Although District Attorney Danny Craig was informed of the shooting soon after it occurred, police first found out about it Tuesday.
No arrests had been made as of Friday afternoon, sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said, but an investigator began setting up interviews with all parties involved.
Potential charges might include possession of a weapon on school property, possession of a weapon by a person younger than 18 and reckless conduct, Morris said.
According to Hall's letter, the pupils were disciplined by school officials. A girl who is accused of firing the weapon was expelled for one year.
Morris said it is unlikely any Augusta Prep officials will be charged.
Business sign vandalized
The manager of Zaxby's in Martinez told police someone damaged a plastic "Big Chicken" sign at the restaurant.
The manager of the 510 Furys Ferry Road restaurant said someone threw a 20-ounce Coca-Cola bottle at the sign, causing it to crack.
The manager said replacing the sign will cost an estimated $2,200.
Vending machines damaged
Several soft-drink vending machines in Columbia County were reported damaged after someone pried them open and took money out of them, police reports stated.
At the Bi-Lo on Furys Ferry Road in Martinez, a Pepsi Bottling Group vending machine had $223 in damage and $200 stolen.
At the Food Lion at 365 S. Belair Road in Martinez, another Pepsi vending machine and a Coca-Cola vending machine each had money taken and $3,000 in damage, the report states.
At Nichols Automotive, 3901 Washington Road in Martinez, a Pepsi vending machine had $1,044 in damage and an unknown amount of money taken.