Policy- A shooting at a graduation party left 8 injured and one dead in
South Carolina on Saturday night. - Local police said it was unclear "whether shots were fired at specific persons or just randomly into the crowd,"
A shooting at a graduation party in South Carolina left one person dead and eight others, including several children, injured.
The tragedy unfolded Saturday night shortly after 11 p.m. local time as a graduation party was taking place in a resident's yard on St. Paul Road, near Summerton, the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office said in a press release.
"Witnesses said, two vehicles approached the residence, one drove into the yard and the other stayed on the highway. At that time, shots were fired. It is not sure whether shots were fired at specific persons or just randomly into the crowd," the press release said.
The "vehicles then sped away" going south on St. Paul Highway, the press release said. When police arrived, they identified "multiple gunshot victims" in the crowd of about 150 people in the yard.
Of the victims that were injured, six were children ages 12 to 17, police said. A 36-year-old was also injured by gunfire, and a 32-year-old female "succumbed to her injuries this morning and died," the press release said.
"This was a school graduation party, and you've got all these innocent children that were there that were hit by gunfire," Sheriff Tim Baxley told News19.
Authorities said there were at least "60 to 70 rounds fired," noting that they were unsure whether any of the rounds were return fire from the partygoers.
"This appears to be a Gang Related incident stemming from previous drive by shootings in other parts of the county," the press release said. No information was given regarding suspects of the shooting.
A spokesperson for the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office was not able to be reached for comment on Sunday.
"We are and will continue to work on this incident until arrest are made on the persons responsible. These acts of violence cannot continue. Innocent children and adults are suffering the consequences of these acts!" the press release said.