AUGUSTA, Ga. — More than two years after the shooting death of 42-year-old James Brinson, authorities have announced the arrests of a mother and son accused of orchestrating his killing.
On Tuesday evening, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Mikeem Gaines, 22, and his mother, Garnett Gaines, 45, both of Lumpkin Road, were taken into custody in connection with Brinson’s 2023 homicide. The arrests were carried out around 5:15 p.m. with the assistance of local investigators, the Crime Suppression Team, and the U.S. Marshals Southeastern Fugitive Task Force.
Both face charges of murder, bringing renewed attention to a case that had long frustrated investigators and left the community with unanswered questions.
The 2023 Shooting
On the morning of June 17, 2023, deputies responded to a shooting in the 2800 block of Lumpkin Road. When they arrived, they discovered Brinson suffering from gunshot wounds outside of 2823 Lumpkin Road, only a few houses away from where the Gaines family lived.
Brinson was rushed to Augusta University Medical Center, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead. At the time, details were scarce, and authorities struggled to piece together exactly what had happened.
New Evidence Surfaces
The case went cold for more than two years until recent developments breathed new life into the investigation. According to investigators, Mikeem Gaines allegedly confided in a friend that he had been the one to shoot his mother’s boyfriend during a heated argument between Brinson and Garnett.
Witness statements suggest that Garnett called for her son twice during the dispute. On her second plea for help, Mikeem came outside and opened fire on Brinson. After the shooting, Mikeem fled the scene.
Instead of calling for emergency help, authorities say Garnett went back inside the house and waited several hours before contacting law enforcement. When deputies arrived, she allegedly claimed that she had just woken up and found Brinson lying outside. She told investigators that she had tried to load Brinson into a vehicle to take him to the hospital but was unable to manage it alone before dialing 911.
Investigators said the truth began to unravel when Mikeem allegedly threatened the friend he had confided in. That person eventually stepped forward with the information that reopened the case.
Arrests and Charges
With the new lead, investigators moved quickly. The mother and son were arrested without incident and booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on murder charges.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether additional charges—such as obstruction or making false statements—will be brought against Garnett Gaines for allegedly misleading deputies during the original investigation.
Community Reaction
The arrests have stirred a mix of relief and sadness in the Lumpkin Road community, where neighbors recall the heavy police presence on the morning of Brinson’s death. Some expressed shock at the possibility that family dynamics escalated into such a violent tragedy, while others voiced frustration that the case took years to solve.
Sheriff’s officials said they are grateful for the persistence of investigators and the cooperation of the community in helping bring closure to Brinson’s family.
“This case demonstrates the importance of witnesses coming forward and the dedication of our investigators who never gave up,” the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
What’s Next
Both Mikeem and Garnett Gaines remain in custody as they await their first court appearances. The investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors are expected to release further details as the case proceeds through the judicial system.
For the family of James Brinson, the arrests mark a significant step toward justice after more than two years of unanswered questions.
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