15-year-old unintentionally shoots and kills boyfriend while playing with a gun

 Two 15-year-olds were playing with a handgun inside a boy's home in Mount Croghan, South Carolina.  According to the sheriffs the two were tossing the gun back and forth when the gun went off in the girlfriend's hands and hit the boy in the chest. The boy died at the scene.

The girl was taken into custody and charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of her boyfriend. The boy's mother was home at the time but was not charged. However, police continue to investigate. If the handgun is found to have been purchased by an adult and not stored properly that could result in charges. 

"It's real tiresome," said the sheriff, "We have to continue going to these mothers and fathers and telling them their child is deceased over recklessness, over negligence, over unnecessary stuff. And it's just getting..it's really getting old."

Gunfire erupts on street, stray bullet hits 2-year-old inside her apartment

 A fight involving several individuals broke out on Bluff Street in Marion, South Carolina around 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. One man was shot and a stray bullet entered a nearby apartment striking a 2-year-old girl inside. Both victims were taken to the hospital. The girl had to be airlifted to a hospital in Charleston for treatment. 

Police did not have any information about the injuries but did say they had several leads on the shooter and their accomplices. The police added: This is enough. If you want to shoot at each other so be it, but when your poor decision-making almost takes the life of an innocent child then that is another level of evil.

6-year-old finds gun, unintentionally shoots and kills woman

22-year-old Alexandra Santos, of Easley, South Carolina,  was riding in a car with her friend and her friend's 6-year-old daughter.  Alexandra was in the front passenger seat and the little girl was in the back.

The child found a gun on the floor board in the back, picked it up and unintentionally discharged the weapon.  The bullet went through the seat and struck Alexandra in the back.  She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

Police are investigating how a loaded gun ended up in the back seat of the car.

Alexandra leaves behind an 11-month-old daughter.

32-year-old woman killed by stray bullet at nightclub during friend's birthday party

32-year-old April Infinger, of Goose Creek, South Carolina was at a friend's birthday party at the Moonshine Saloon when she was struck by a stray bullet as people fought outside the bar.

According to witnesses, people were trying to diffuse an argument between two women when the patrons started throwing punches. The fight spilled outside the club when a man pulled a gun and started shooting.

April was inside the club, celebrating a friend's birthday, when she was struck in the back by a bullet that came through the wall from the parking lot.

April's friend told reporters that she and April were hugging goodbye. Just as they let go she heard a pop and watched as April dropped to the ground inside the bar. "She fell to her knees and never came back up," she said.

April was taken to the local hospital and died a short time later. She leaves behind a husband and 13-year-old daughter.

Police are still investigating the incident.

High school cheerleader struck by stray bullet during practice

A 14-year-old Goose Creek High School cheerleader was hit by a stray bullet Tuesday evening during practice. The practice was taking place on school grounds in Goose Creek, South Carolina but police believe the bullet was fired from an off-campus location.

The girl was shot in the hand. She was taken to the local hospital for treatment and has since been released. She is resting at home.

Police do not know who fired the shot or why and it is being treated as an isolated incident.

College student waiting for taxi hit by stray bullet, left paralyzed

18-year-old Martha Childress, a freshman at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, was waiting for a taxi cab with her friend early Sunday morning when a fight broke out nearby between three men.

One of the men, 21-year-old Michael Smith pulled out a .40-caliber handgun and fired. The bullet hit Martha in her midsection and lodged in her spinal cord. The bullet left her paralyzed from the hips down and damaged her liver and kidney.

Before being shot, Martha was out with a high school friend who was visiting her at college. The two had been to a Hunter Hayes concert and had gone out afterwards for something to eat. Her mother had told her to take a cab home rather than risk walking late at night.

Smith faces charges of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, and possession of a stolen pistol.

3-year-old finds handgun, shoots 2-year-old

Tosha Beaver, of Clarendon County, South Carolina said her 2-year-old son "has come a long way" since being unintentionally shot by his 3-year-old relative.

According to reports, the two boys were visiting with their 23-year-old aunt. They were returning from a walk and ran in the house ahead of her. "Shortly after that, she heard a gunshot."

The report stated the aunt and her husband ran into the house and saw the 3-year-old with a handgun and the 2-year-old lying on the floor. The boy had been shot through both legs.

"He's recovering very fast," said the boy's father. Doctors hope he will be able to leave the hospital and go home in a few more days.

The aunt told deputies the gun is always kept in a cabinet and she did not know how the child managed to get the weapon.

4-year-old hit by stray bullet as she was sitting in her living room, watching television

4-year-old Zahara Walker was in the living room of her apartment in Columbia, South Carolina, watching television. Outside a gun battle was taking place.
A surveillance video shows a group of three men opening fire at people inside a silver Dodge Charger.
One of the bullets ripped through Zahara's front door and struck her in the lower back.
Zahara was taken to the hospital for treatment. The bullet damaged her liver and stomach. She is out of ICU and breathing on her on and is expected to recover.
Police have arrested 21-year-old Marchus Ganntt in connection with the shooting. A police spokesperson called the incident a "disgusting crime."
Zahara's mother told reporters, "I never would have suspected to have to tell someone my 4-year-old daughter got shot, because she was what, watching cartoons? She was at the wrong place at the wrong time? We were at home at the wrong time? You're supposed to feel safe at home."

20-year-old unintentionally shoots friend while showing off his shotgun

20-year-old William Thibodeau, of Walterboro, South Carolina, was showing his friend his Mossberg shotgun. As he was handing his friend the shotgun, Thibodeau unintentionally discharged the weapon.
The 20-year-old victim was shot in the upper chest at near point blank range. His girlfriend acted quickly to control the heavy bleeding until medical crews arrived.
The victim was flown to a trauma center in Charleston where he underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition.
Both the victim and Thibodeau told police the shooting was unintentional. Thibodeau has been charged with discharging a weapon within city limits.

Father charged after unintentionally shooting and killing 8-year-old son

30-year-old Justin Brueger, of Bennettsville, South Carolina was cleaning his gun Sunday night when he unintentionally discharged the weapon. The bullet hit his 8-year-old son, Easton, in the stomach.
Easton died at the hospital of his injuries.
Brueger has been arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. Police say Brueger put his son at unreasonable risk by pointing the gun in his son's direction while he was cleaning it.
"I want to say I'm very sorry to my son," said Brueger at his court appearance.

Man unintentionally shoots and kills himself at shooting range

62-year-old Jerry Marsh, of Columbia, South Carolina, was at Shooter's Choice gun store and shooting range. He was dismantling his 40-caliber Glock semi-automatic handgun when he unintentionally discharged the weapon.
Marsh was shot in the chest. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A firearms instructor commented, "Always assume a gun is loaded. Additionally, never point a muzzle of a gun at anything you don't want to destroy. Accident defined: premeditated carelessness.

Hunter unintentionally shoots and kills himself while on cell phone with girlfriend

59-year-old David Young, of Gaston, South Carolina, was out hunting, walking on a road near St. Matthews and talking on the phone with his girlfriend when the cellphone went silent.
According to the coroner, his fiancee "could not get any response from him on the cellphone and she alerted authorities to the location."
When the sheriff arrived they found Young "with no signs of life and with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest."
It appears that Young tripped and fell which caused him to unintentionally discharge the gun.
A spokesman reminded hunters to "always make sure your guns are pointed in a safe direction and that the safety is on."

Man trying to demonstrate proper way to hold gun unintentionally shoots and kills himself

43-year-old James Gagum, of Conway, South Carolina was watching a movie with friends when an argument broke out about how one of the characters was holding a gun. "That's not how it's done," said Gagum. He picked up a handgun to demonstrate the "proper way". He put the gun to his head and, not realizing the gun was loaded,repeatedly pulled the trigger. On the third pull the handgun fired, shooting Gagum in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
In 2010 Gagum shot and killed a man who broke into his home and demanded money and valuables. Gagum said three men broke into his home and one of them pointed a gun at him and his wife.
"It was him instead of me or me instead of him," Gagum said. "I shot him with a .357 three times, square in the mid-section."
Gagum was not charged in the killing.

Gun dealer unintentionally shoots himself while setting up for gun show

40-year-old Eric Kinsinger, a gun dealer from Fort Mill, South Carolina, was setting up his table at the Dixie Gun & Knife Classic show in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to police, Kinsinger unintentionally shot himself with a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun.
"He was taking the gun out to display it and pulled the trigger and it went off," said the local police captain.
Kinsinger was shot in the hand and transported to the local hospital for treatment for the non life-threatening injury.

Man dies after unintentionally shooting himself at shooting range

60-year-old Benny Patterson, of North Charleston, South Carolina, was at Trader World Gun Shop and Indoor Range doing some shooting at the indoor gun range. According to witnesses, Patterson was shooting on a lane when he stopped to inspect the firearm. He turned the handgun toward himself and unintentionally discharged it. The bullet struck him in the chest.
Patterson was taken to the hospital and died shortly after.
The indoor range has been temporarily closed.

Woman unintentionally shot during concealed weapons training class

33-year-old Crystal Smith, of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, wife of a Spartanburg County sheriff's deputy, was taking a concealed weapons permit class when she was unintentionally shot by the instructor.
Deputy Skip Smith, no relation to Crystal, was showing another student how to grip a gun when he discharged the weapon. Crystal was standing beside the student, the bullet went through her arm and into her side. She was taken to the local hospital and is listed in stable condition after undergoing surgery.
Deputy Smith is a certified Concealed Weapons Permit Course instructor. He neglected to check to see if there was a round in the chamber before handling the pistol.
Chuck Wright, sheriff of Spartanburg County, made news last October when he urged women to get a gun and a concealed weapons permit to protect themselves. In addition to urging women to carry concealed weapons he also stated, "Gun control is when you can get your barrel back on the target quick. That's gun control."
Wright says he stands by his comment about concealed weapons, despite this recent incident. A written statement from the sheriff's office stated, "This was a very unfortunate accident that has taken an emotional toll on everyone present. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Smith, her family, friends and all those present at today's class."

Gun inside woman's purse fires inside mall, bystander injured

A South Carolina woman with a valid concealed weapons permit was with her friend at the Inlet Square Mall. The woman had a loaded handgun in her purse and according to reports "the gun discharged when the woman placed her purse on the ground."
The bullet went out the purse and struck the friend in her right leg and then lodged in her left leg. The 59-year-old woman was taken to the local medical center where she was listed in stable condition.
Police said because the woman had a valid permit for the gun and she didn't intend to injure her friend no charges would be filed. However, the manager of the mall said the mall does not allow concealed weapons in the mall and that it is a crime that can be punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or not more than five years in jail, or both.
There is no indication whether or not the woman will be charged with bringing a concealed weapon inside the mall.
There is also no report on what kind of gun the woman had or why it would fire after the simple act of placing her purse on the floor.
Ohh shoot.

Sheriff Deputy's 4-year-old son unintentionally shoots himself

A Richland County, South Carolina deputy sheriff was getting ready for work. He told his 4-year-old son to go get dressed and get ready for the baby sitter's. Instead the boy went into the deputy's bedroom, found a gun and unintentionally shot himself. The deputy, who has not been identified, heard the gunshot around 9:30 a.m. and found his son lying on the bedroom floor with a gunshot wound to the upper body. The boy was transported to the hospital where he is in critical but stable condition.
The gun involved was a department issued secondary weapon, it was not the deputy's service weapon. Police are investigating how the boy gained access to the gun. All deputies are issued a gun safety lock box when hired.
Police are reminding gun owners to use safety precautions if they choose to bring guns into a home where children live. They should remember to always:
- take the ammunition out of the gun.
- lock the gun and keep it out of reach of children.
- lock the ammunition apart from the gun.
- store the keys for the gun and the ammunition in a different area from where you store household keys.
- keep the keys out of reach of children.
- lock up gun-cleaning supplies, which are often poisonous.
- talk to your family about gun safety.

14-year-old mistakes father for intruder, shoots him

35-year-old Steven Graham of Orangeburg, South Carolina and his 14-year-old son thought there was a trespasser at their house so the two of them got guns and went outside at 2 a.m. to search. They split up, circling their home. According to the police report when the son spotted what he thought was an intruder, he attempted to communicate but when the person did not respond, he fired a single shot from his .22-caliber rifle. Graham was shot in the arm and chest. He was flown to Palmetto Health Richland where he is recovering from his injuries.
Both father and son stated the shooting was an accident. No charges have been filed. Police found no intruder on the property.
Ohh shoot.

Man cleaning handgun unintentionally shoots and kills 3-year-old nephew

3-year-old Kvonta Dodd of Greenville County, South Carolina died during surgery at the Greenville Hospital. Kvonta's uncle (who has not been identified by police) told police he was cleaning his small caliber handgun and while he was unloading the gun it unintentionally discharged. The bullet struck Kvonta in the upper body. The boy was not breathing when police arrived arrived 8:30 Wednesday morning but a deputy was able to resuscitate Kvonta. He was transported to the hospital where his condition was briefly updated before he entered surgery.
The uncle was taken to the law enforcement center to be interviewed but no charges have been filed. According to a police statement: "It has been determined that the incident does appear to be accidental but the Sheriff's Office continues the investigation."
Ohh shoot.