18-year-old in custody after man seriously injured in Pilgrim's Pride parking lot shooting

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office was on scene Monday at a large chicken production plant off U.S. 15 in response to a shooting incident.

One man sustained serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, said Deputy Adrienne Sarvis, public information officer for the sheriff’s office. She said he is expected to recover.

The call about the shooting came in at about 10:45 a.m. Based on preliminary information, it appeared the incident started as a fight in the parking lot of Pilgrim's Pride, Sarvis said. It appeared the three individuals involved in this incident are acquaintances, according to initial reports from law enforcement.

An 18-year-old, Jeffrey Laverne Green Jr., of West Oakland Avenue, was taken into custody in connection with the incident. He faces charges of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

All three people involved in the incident were employees at Pilgrim’s Pride at the time of the incident, Sarvis said. According to Sumter Economic Development data, the chicken plant, which produces and packages fresh and frozen poultry products, is the second-largest industrial employer in Sumter County.

Pocalla Springs Elementary School, Furman Middle School and Lakewood High School were under lockdown until about 12:30 p.m. in response to this incident, which is being deemed isolated, including securing exterior doors and locking students and teachers in their classrooms.