SWANSEA, S.C. — The Lexington County Sheriff's Department is searching for the suspect in a deadly shooting that happened outside a Swansea bar on Sunday morning.
According to preliminary information released by the department, deputies responded to Amici Tavern around 3:20 a.m. due to gunfire. Based on what they know so far, investigators believe two men were initially arguing inside the bar but said the disagreement spilled into the parking lot. At some point, one of the men shot the other and left the scene.
Sheriff Jay Koon said friends drove the shooting victim, later identified as 23-year-old Rodney McKensey James Jr. of Wagener, down the road, where they met with emergency medical services. The Swansea Police Department requested the sheriff's department's assistance in the investigation.
Although deputies have interviewed witnesses over the course of several hours and have surveillance video from a nearby business, the sheriff said investigators still have little to go on.
They're hoping someone in the community may have more information about the incident or the gunman. The department urges anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC or CrimeSC.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous. The sheriff added that information leading to an arrest could be eligible for a cash reward.
