Police: Gunshots exchanged on Broad Street

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

A man was airlifted to Palmetto Health Richland Friday after being shot in an incident on Broad Street that took place about 4:45 a.m., according to Sumter Police Department Capt. Alvin Holston.

The man, whose name is being withheld pending an investigation, was reportedly in critical condition after being shot in an exchange of gunfire on the 1050 block of Broad Street between Rite Aid and McDonald's, Holston said. He was stabilized and airlifted to the Columbia hospital.

"When the 911 call came in to us, there was a report of multiple shots being fired," Holston said. "Shortly after we arrived on the scene, we received a phone call from Tuomey (Regional Medical Center) saying that two people were at the hospital with gunshot wounds."

Holston said witnesses on the scene described gunfire being exchanged between occupants of a light blue van and a dark gray car. A second man, reportedly taken to Tuomey, has been treated and released, officials said.

Both men were occupants in the light blue van, Holston said.

The vehicles were reportedly traveling on Broad Street, but Holston said the direction they were traveling had not been determined.

Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.