The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two recent drive-by shootings while the Walterboro Police Department is working a third shooting. Officials believe the three may all be connected.
Saturday night deputies responded to a report of a drive-by shooting near Bells Hwy in the Ruffin area. The shooters opened fire on a home that was having a party. Witnesses said the occupants of a small black sedan shot into the home. Officials say, party goers may have returned fire. The vehicle fled in an unknown direction. Two victims of the shooting were transported to the Colleton Medical Center, one is listed in critical condition.
A second shooting occurred on December 23rd at 1:28am. Officers from the Walterboro Police Department were dispatched to the area of N. Lemacks St. and Park Ave. regarding discharging of a firearm and possibly two victims being shot. Upon arrival officers observed numerous shell casings located in the roadway and on the sidewalk at the intersection of N. Lemacks St. and Park Ave. Dispatch advised officers on scene that the victims had been taken to Colleton Medical Center by personal vehicle. One victim sustained a gunshot wound to the forearm and the other to the left leg. A crime scene was established, and Investigations and Administration were notified. The scene was turned over to Detective Shipp. No parties on scene would co-operate with law enforcement.
A second drive-by shooting occurred Sunday night near Walterboro, this is within the city limits and jurisdiction of the Walterboro Police Department, a request for information has been sent, as of press time we have not received a response with information related to the incident.
December 23rd, Colleton County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a third shooting near Central Station in Cottageville. Three vehicles and a storage building were all hit by gunfire, no injuries were reported.
Officials believe all of the shootings are related and stem from the Saturday night incident at Bells Highway.
The Sheriff’s Office released an image of the suspect vehicle in Monday’s shooting, indicating that it is an older model 2006-2012 light grey Chevrolet Impala with 5 star rims, last seen driving north on 17-A towards Summerville.
Anyone with information or security camera footage pertaining to these incidents is asked to contact Colleton County Sheriff’s Office on the non-emergency line at 843-549-2211.
