By Heather Ruppe
Two suspects are being sought in a weekend shooting and stabbing that injured several people, including a 12-year-old child who was shot multiple times. The entire crime scene occurred outside of a party that was happening along Main Street in Walterboro.
At about 8:58 p.m. on Saturday, August 13th, officers with the Walterboro Police Department were called to 252 Main Street in downtown Walterboro, outside of a business called 252 Signature Events, which is an event rental venue and a small business.
A 12-year-old boy was shot three times. He was flown by helicopter to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston. The second gunshot victim was transported by Colleton County Fire-Rescue to Trident Medical Center in North Charleston.
The third victim was stabbed. He was given blood at the crime scene by Colleton County Fire-Rescue (CCFR) and was then transported to Trident Medical Center.
In all, firefighter-paramedics who responded to the scene said four people were injured in this crime. The fourth victim was an adult male who was shot in the wrist, according to Barry McRoy, chief of CCFR.
Officials with the Walterboro Police Department say this began as a verbal argument between two men. “It became violent when one was stabbed with a knife. The stabbing victim then produced a gun and shot his aggressor,” said Sgt. Tavara Edwards, spokeswoman for the local police department.
Officials who responded to the scene said it was grisly, and said the victims ran from the venue and headed in different directions.
“On Washington Street, a Sheriff’s Deputy was working to control the bleeding on the stabbing victim,” said McRoy. “Firefighter-Paramedics arrived and continued to work to stabilize the man who was bleeding profusely from multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest and abdomen.
“Firefighter-Paramedics administered IV fluids and Whole Blood during the transport. Additional personnel assisted with his care during the transport,” he said.
According to Sgt. Edwards with the Walterboro Police Department, the juvenile was not involved in the dispute. He was an innocent bystander.
Another female was also injured in this shooting. She initially refused medical treatment, Edwards said. However, that female victim was transported by a personal vehicle to Trident Medical Center.
Both the gun and the knife used in the crime were found at the crime scene and they are in police evidence, said Edwards.
As of press deadline, there are two suspects who have been identified in this crime. They are both adult men, who had fled the crime scene before officers arrived. Charges against these men are pending, said Edwards; however, the exact charges these suspects are facing were not ready as of press deadline.
