Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Detains 15 Year Old on Charge Related to Thursday Morning Shooting Investigation
(Walhalla, SC)-----------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has detained a 15 year old male on a charge of Involuntary Manslaughter in relation to a Thursday morning shooting incident that occurred in the Walhalla area.
A Juvenile Referral Packet has been obtained and the juvenile is being transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections facility in Columbia.
According to a news release issued by the Sheriff’s Office this morning, the E-911/Communications Center received a call at around 8:28am today from an address on Sherwood Lane, which is near Highlands Highway. According to initial information received by dispatch, a teenager accidentally shot a friend inside of the residence in the head as the teenager was moving a firearm. The person who was shot was also a teenager.
Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau, along with Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Bureau, were dispatched to the scene. Paramedics were also dispatched and the teenager who was shot was transported to the hospital.
Based upon evidence obtained during the investigation, Investigators believe that the 15 year old retrieved the firearm from underneath a pillow in his room, and while handling the firearm, the firearm discharged and struck the victim. Investigators believe that the shooting was accidental in nature; however, the 15 year old was negligent in his handling of the firearm.
Investigators in the case did consult with the 10th Circuit Solicitors Office before detaining the juvenile and obtained the Juvenile Referral Packet.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and further information will be released at the appropriate time. Due to the ages of the persons involved, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office will not release any information that could, in any way either directly or indirectly, identify those persons involved.
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