1 in custody after 14-year-old killed in Orangeburg shooting
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - Authorities provided an update regarding the shooting death of 14-year-old Zaquan Corbett Jr.
Charles Austin, director of the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety (ODPS), said a child is in custody in connection with the shooting and charges are pending.
“We have AR and AK-level assault weapons involved, and certainly, we would expect their parents would know if their kids had this type of weaponry accessible to them,” Austin said.
The shooting, which occurred Nov. 15 near Wheeler and Nottingham Streets, left Corbett dead and another child was injured, according to Austin.
Austin said he believed the shooting was not a random act of violence and that the minors knew each other.
“It happens all too frequently, not just in the City of Orangeburg. Across this country, we noticed there is an uptick in the level of violence crimes, particularly gun violence,” he said. “It’s especially concerning that it involves young people; minors.”
No information on the second minor’s identity has been revealed, but their injuries are not life-threatening, according to ODPS.
Corbett was later identified as a student of Orangeburg County School District (OCSD). Their statement reads:
“We understand how deeply the loss of a student affects all of our school family—students alike; therefore, Orangeburg County School District istration has and will continue to make grief counselors available for any student or staff member who needs assistance."
ODPS is continuing to investigate alongside the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO).
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