10 injured in outbreak of shootings across Aiken County
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A sudden rash of shootings in Aiken County left at least 10 people injured in six days – part of an outbreak of violent crime across the CSRA that’s claimed about 150 lives in nearly two years.
While officials with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office say several of them are gang related, they still don’t know if they are connected.
The shootings span from Aiken to Beech Island, leaving a trail of injuries, property damage and fear.
“These acts of violence are not random and are the result of alleged gangs retaliating against each other,” said Sheriff Michael Hunt.
They are calling on the community for help connecting the dots and bringing justice.
Staff Sergeant Stephen Shunn said: “We can say that there’s a good many of them that have been drive by shootings, just randomly shooting at certain home or, like, one this morning was apartment complex.”
Clearwater/Beech Island
The latest shooting happened Thursday around 12:30 a.m., injuring one person in the 5000 block of Westminster Way in Beech Island, according to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived at the scene after a 911 call reporting shots had been fired.
Upon arrival, deputies found a man outside an apartment building with gunshot injuries to his stomach. Aiken County emergency medical crews took the victim to a hospital with critical injuries, according to authorities.
While searching for any other victims, deputies were shown by witnesses where multiple rounds had struck the apartment building, authorities say.
There is no suspect description at this time.
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The shooting came nearly a week after another one between Clearwater and Beech Island.
On the night of Feb. 16, three people were injured in a shooting in the 100 block of Ashmore Drive.
Deputies say the victims were taken to a hospital for their injuries.
On Kershaw Street
A shooting injured a victim Monday in the 300 block of Kershaw Street in Aiken.
Officers arrived around 10:41 a.m. and found a victim with one gunshot wound to the leg. Officers applied a tourniquet and began medical aid.
Emergency medical crews took the patient to a hospital in Augusta.
Authorities say a suspect, Samayah Lott, 22, of Aiken, was arrested Wednesday and charged with assault and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
On Edgefield Highway
Authorities say around 11:21 p.m. Monday, a 911 caller reported gunshots at 1218 Edgefield Highway.
Deputies say they found a male near the gas pumps at a convenience store with gunshot injuries to his arms and chest.
Meanwhile, at Edgefield Highway and Croft Mill Road, deputies found a black car that had been involved in a crash.
Witnesses said the car sped away after the shooting before apparently crashing into another car.
One person ran away from the black car after the crash and later was found with a gunshot wound to the chest. The driver was found with the black car, suffering injuries from the crash and a gunshot wound to the leg.
Another person not associated with the black car was injured in the crash.
Emergency medical crews took four males to a hospital with critical injuries.
On Singletree Lane
An Aiken fight between brothers ended with one in the hospital and another in jail.
It happened in the garage of one of the brothers in the 100 block of Single Tree Lane between 11 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday.
Two of the brothers started to fight, and a third brother broke up the fight.
However, the fighting broke out again, and one of the brothers, Nicholas McMaster, threatened to get his gun, according to authorities.
The brothers began to fight for a third time, and the third brother again intervened, trying to grab the gun. He was shot in the foot, authorities said.
Two witnesses said everyone had been drinking that night, according to authorities.
McMaster has been charged with one count of assault/attempted murder, and possession of weapons during a violent crime, according to records.
Other shootings
- Gunshots fired Feb. 17 in the 200 block of Celeste Avenue with no reported injuries.
- A shooting Feb. 18 in the 200 block of Diamond Street that left one person injured.
- Gunshots fired Feb. 18 in the 500 block of Blackstone Camp Road with no reported injuries.
They encourage you to call their tip line or go to their website here.
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