Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Makes Third Arrest in Ongoing Shooting Investigation
(Walhalla, SC)-----------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is announcing a third arrest today in a continuing investigation into a shooting incident that occurred last Thursday morning near Walhalla.
23 year old John Devin Wilbanks, of Jersey Drive in Westminster, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center at around 3:11pm today on a charge of Unlawful Sell of a Pistol. Wilbanks received a $25,000 dollar personal recognizance bond during an appearance before a Judge this afternoon.
According to the arrest warrant, Wilbanks unlawfully sold a Taurus G2C 9mm handgun to a person under the age of 18 years old. The gun sold was the firearm that was used in the shooting.
Last Friday, the Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 33 year old Davina Jill Browne, of Sherwood Drive, on a charge of Unlawfully Placing a Child at Risk of Harm. Browne was released from jail on a $25,000 dollar personal recognizance bond on the afternoon of October 9th.
According to an arrest warrant, Browne is accused of placing at unreasonable risk of harm a 15 year old juvenile male by allowing him to have, or to own, a 9mm Taurus handgun. Browne did have knowledge that the 15 year old had the gun and did not have proper preventative measures in place, according to Investigators. Browne is a family member of the 15 year old and has custody of him.
In the news release issued last Thursday by the Sheriff’s Office, Investigators detained a 15 year old male on a charge of Involuntary Manslaughter in relation to the shooting incident. A Juvenile Referral Packet was obtained and the juvenile was transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections facility in Columbia.
Based upon evidence obtained during the investigation, Investigators believe that the 15 year old retrieved the 9mm Taurus handgun 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 obtaining the Juvenile Referral Packet. The name of the victim, as well as the cause and manner of death, was released earlier last week by the Oconee County Coroner’s Office.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and any 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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