ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A vehicle of interest is now being sought in the case of a six-year-old boy who was shot and killed in Orangeburg County.
Orangeburg County deputies released the video late Monday afternoon in connection with the killing of Winston Hunter, who was killed in the drive-by shooting on McClain Street in Woodford on Friday, May 13.
Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said cameras in the area captured video of a car leaving the area of the shooting minutes after it happened. The sedan can be seen entering Highway 321.
“We believe this vehicle may be connected with Friday’s shooting death of one of our children in the community,” the sheriff said. “His name was Winston. I want whoever shot him to know his name, know what you did.”
The coroner's office says Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18.
According to the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office incident report, deputies answered a call of shots fired around 11:35 p.m. Arriving at the location, deputies from OCSO joined North Police Chief Lin Shirer and EMS personnel securing the scene. Spent shell casings were gathered from the roadway in front of the residence and deputies discovered what appeared to be multiple bullet holes in the front side of the home and in two vehicles parked on the property.
A man who lives at the home told deputies he and others had just returned from a family event and that Hunter was playing around. That's when the heard what he thought to be multiple gun shots and yelled for everyone to get down. After the gunfire stopped, he saw that 6-year-old Winston had been injured while on the couch inside the home.
The man began CPR on the victim but the child died of his injuries.
Ravenell described the shooting as a "cowardly act" and asks anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
“I can think of no more clear example of a cowardly act than what has happened here,” the sheriff said. “If you may have or know someone who may have any tidbit of information connected with this, I urge you to call us.”
Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office at 803-534-3550 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous.