AUGUSTA, Ga. ()- A Richmond County Sheriff’s deputy was shot early Thursday morning while responding to a call for an armed robbery.

Deputies responded to the armed robbery call at the BP gas station on Washington Road around 12:45 Thursday morning. The victim, Ricardo Clay, told deputies what happened and they began to search for multiple suspects.

“He provided suspect descriptions, including one black male in a black hoodie armed with a handgun,” said Sheriff Gino Brantley.

Deputy Victor Rodriguez spotted a man fitting one of the suspects’ description running towards Waffle House. The man, identified as Dalyn Elder, began shooting at Deputy Rodriguez using a stolen gun.

“Deputy Rodriguez was grazed once and struck twice in the left lower torso, but continued relaying information and returned fire,” Sheriff Brantley said.

Elder was not part of the robbery, though Sheriff Brantley believes he had reasons for running.

“And we can only surmise that because of his 11 warrants, including aggravated assault, having a handgun and drugs as the deputy approached and he possibly thought we were coming after him because of outstanding warrants.”

Elder, a suspect for a shooting on Central Avenue back in May, was shot by Corporal Amanda Donald and is currently in critical condition at Wellstar MCG. Corporal Donald is now on administrative leave pending investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

“One robbery suspect located was Dashon Thomas Hunt, who was arrested for robbery by force,” said Sheriff Brantley.

Thursday afternoon deputies arrested two more suspects, 17-year-old Ashton Wimberly and 28-year-old Donte White.

Deputy Rodriguez is stable and expected to make a full recovery.

Photojournalists: Dania Alawir and Reggie Mackie.