SUMTER, S.C. — One man is now in custody after a shooting at a Sumter McDonald's left a teenager dead.
It happened at around 4 p.m. Sunday on North Lafayette Drive. That's when investigators say 25-year-old Marcques Charles Wright, Jr., a McDonald's employee, and another worker began fighting.
According to police, family of the other worker, who arrived to pick him up from the job, tried to break up the fight, but Wright pulled a gun and began firing before running away.
Jacob Russ, 14, was killed in the shooting, according to authorities. Police say Russ was a relative of the other worker and was there with family.
Sumter School District said he was a freshman at Sumter High School.
"Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with Jacob's family during this very difficult time," District Superintendent Dr. William Wright said in a statement: . "A tragedy like this has a significant impact on both our students and staff. Sumter School District is very sensitive to the emotional needs of our school family, and our Crisis Support Team will be on hand to assist anyone at Sumter High School who may need assistance coping with this tragic loss."
An autopsy for Russ is scheduled for Tuesday, according to Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker.
“It’s sad and it’s really scary because you have homicides every year, that’s just a fact of life, but when you’ve got a 14-year-old that’s shot inside of a fast-food restaurant in front of other people, it’s sad and my hearts go out to that family," Baker said.
While Baker couldn't comment on the police investigation, he did have a message for the community.
"We need to stop and take a deep breath and realize that life is precious and in a split second a person’s life could be taken away from them,” Baker said.
Wright faces charges, including murder and attempted murder. He is being held at the Sumter County Jail.
The McDonald's is located along a busy section of road which is also across the street from other restaurants and the South Carolina Department of Social Services.