Gun safety advocates are speaking out after three separate shootings left two teens dead, a third critically injured and three 14-year-olds arrested on serious charges.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott spoke to the media Tuesday, after an outbreak of deadly teen violence in Richland County this past weekend.
“The system is not working. If the system is designed as a deterrent to keep them from getting involved in more crime, and teaching them something, then this is a sign of failure that our system is not working,” Sheriff Lott said.
On Friday, a 17-year-old was shot in the woods near the 300 block of Turkey Farm Road.
The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition but is expected to survive.
Authorities say the investigation into that incident is on-going.
Sunday, on Hunting Avenue in Hopkins, the sheriff said a 14-year-old was mishandling a handgun that fired, striking and killing a 15-year-old.
That 14-year-old has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, and possession of a handgun by a person under 18.
Authorities said a different 14-year-old is also facing charges in the case, accused of stealing the handgun and bringing it to the home where the shooting occurred.
The sheriff said that while the investigation is ongoing, the parent who had the gun stolen is not facing charges at this time.
Merie Mirosavich with Midlands Be Smart said parents need to keep their guns safely stored, especially this time of year.
“Kids are curious. We know that kids are coming home for the holidays. They’re going to be home for a couple weeks, and they’re going to be looking for Christmas presents and all sorts of things in the house. Part of owning a gun is securing a gun appropriately using a gun safe or a lock box. It definitely helps to create a barrier for a kid accessing a gun,” she explained.
Early Monday morning, another 15-year-old victim was shot and killed.
Deputies said a resident near the 200 block of Quniton Lane found the teen on their porch.
Investigators said they were able to quickly identify a suspect in the case, which led to the arrest of a 14-year-old suspect Tuesday afternoon.
During the arrest, deputies said they found a firearm and are working to find out how the teen obtained the gun.
Mirosavich said it’s important to know if your children will be playing in other homes where there may be guns.
“If they are gun owners, ask how they’re storing their guns, because we don’t want our kids going over to a friend's house and finding mom or dad’s gun and wanting to explore that gun and see what it does and play with it,” she explained.
Sheriff Lott said that of the 26 murder cases that have occurred so far in Richland County, investigators have been able to make arrests in all of those cases.