FAIRFIELD COUNTY, S.C. — Two girls are hospitalized after a shooting on I-77 that Fairfield County investigators believe resulted from road rage.
The two children shot were six and eight years old and the family is from South Carolina, according to an Incident report from law enforcement.
The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office said the shooting happened before 8:40 p.m. on the southbound side of the interstate between mile markers 48 and 34. Investigators said a family of four was traveling in the area when a dark vehicle, possibly a Mazda with a paper tag and no headlights, allegedly began following them closely.
A sheriff's office statement said the driver of the family's vehicle initially tapped the brakes before speeding up to escape the pursuing driver. The victims told investigators that someone in the other vehicle opened fire on them, striking two juvenile girls in the back seat.
The sheriff's office didn't provide their exact condition but said both were taken to the hospital and considered stable at the last check. They added they are asking SLED for Surveillance camera footage from the area.
No arrests have been reported by the sheriff's office and there is no updated condition of the children.
The incident is leaving drivers on edge.
"If somebody pulled out in front of me or something of that nature, I used to blow the horn but now i just keep it moving," said Brittany McDonald.
"You can't control people's reactions I just wish they would react better," said Brandon McCartney.
The sheriff's office urges anyone who has information about the shooting or saw the interaction between the vehicles leading up to it to call 803-635-4141.