Sumter police seek information in nonfatal shooting of child, teen

Sumter Police Department is seeking the public’s help in the investigation of a nonfatal shooting that injured a child and a teen on Sunday night.

According to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the police department, an 8-year-old and an 18-year-old were injured after being struck during gunfire in the Lawson Street area on Sunday, Oct. 29.

Officers were patrolling in the area and immediately responded when shots began at about 7:30 p.m. A man and an 18-year-old were outside when shots were fired. The 18-year-old along with an 8-year-old, who was inside the home, were struck; the mother was not injured, according to McGirt.

The teen was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital for treatment and later released while the minor remains in a Columbia hospital and is expected to recover, McGirt said. At least one other adult and four other children were inside the home during the shooting but were not injured.

Based on information gathered, officers think the gunfire came from a dark-colored Ram pickup truck that was seen speeding away from the area about the time of the shooting.

Officers are continuing to search for the pickup and identify those involved in what Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark called a “brazen act” of disrespect and disregard for the safety of others.

“It is imperative that our officers and members of the community continue to work together to identify those involved,” he said.

Anyone who saw or heard anything in the West Williams, Lawson and Atlantic streets area near the time of the shooting or knows who might be involved is asked to contact the police department at (803) 436-2700.

Tips can also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, online at P3tips.com or by using the P3 Tips app for mobile devices.

An up to $2,500 reward is available for information leading to an arrest.