COLUMBIA, S.C. — Authorities are continuing to investigate an incident that occurred on Saturday night and left one person wounded at the Sunset Boat Ramp and Park in Newberry County.
Multiple 911 calls were reported following a shooting and stabbing at the park, leading Newberry deputies, Lake Murray Rescue, and EMS to respond, initially believing multiple people were injured. Upon arrival, they confirmed only one victim.
According to Newberry Sheriff Lee Foster, the violence erupted following a verbal altercation between two groups. "We have several different stories as to who was the initial aggressor," Foster said.
Foster emphasized the importance of witness accounts in the investigation, noting that numerous individuals have come forward since the incident. "We had several calls yesterday and a couple today of people who had witnessed it and have called in," he said.
Public input is crucial for the investigation, Foster explained. "The police are not there, so we don't see anything physically. We have to look at what's left behind, we have to pick up the pieces. So somebody that actually saw the incident, it's important for us to make the case and charge the appropriate people."
Several suspects have been identified, but none are currently detained. "We have identified several people from both sides of the incident that took place," Foster said.
Investigators are working to determine the primary aggressor and identify who introduced the knife and the gun. "We just need to find out who the primary aggressor was, as in starting the fight," Foster said. "And the other thing we need to know is who introduced the knife and who introduced the gun."
The victim, who is expected to survive, will meet with the Sheriff's Department for further questioning once released from the hospital.
The Sunset Boat Ramp, owned by Dominion Energy, remains open to the public. Dominion declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.