RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — A 12-year-old is facing an attempted murder charge and others after a shooting on Monday in Richland County.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department said the shooting happened in the 3600 block of Ranch Road around 7 p.m. on Monday. When deputies arrived, they found the 14-year-old victim with multiple gunshot wounds. A preliminary investigation revealed that the 12-year-old suspect and four other juveniles were involved in an argument when the suspect pulled out a gun and fired it, hitting the victim.
The suspect left before deputies arrived, and the 14-year-old was taken to an area hospital. The victim's exact condition wasn't available, but the sheriff's department said the child is stable. The 12-year-old turned themselves in on Friday after being identified as the suspect through the investigation and now faces charges of attempted murder, possession of a weapon by a person under 18 and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
The sheriff's department has cleared the other four juveniles of any charges.
The 12-year-old suspect was also charged with armed robbery in connection with another incident in March. Investigators were called to the 2200 block of East Boundary Road on March 1. Deputies met with the victim and, through their investigation, determined that the 12-year-old was the suspect in that case.
The child will be booked into the Department of Juvenile Justice.
