Juvenile that shot, killed man in Lancaster County will not face charges
“Based upon what we know from the investigation up to this point, the shooting was justified,” the sheriff said.

LANCASTER, S.C. (WBTV) – The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly shooting that claimed the life of a 29-year-old male.

The sheriff’s office stated that on Thursday, May 2, around 6:40 p.m., they responded to a reported shooting in the 1600 block of Hillcrest Avenue.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they found a 29-year-old male on the ground next to a Chevrolet Avalanche, suffering from a gunshot wound.

Deputies attempted to render aid, and when Lancaster County Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived, they pronounced him dead.

Officials state that they obtained a search warrant and the property was searched, and evidence was collected.

The sheriff’s office stated that when they first arrived on scene there was a 31-year-old male and a 14-year-old juvenile near the truck. The 31-year-old owned the Avalanche and is a friend of the juvenile.

Deputies stated that both were cooperative, and the juvenile stated that he was the one who fired shots at the 29-year-old.

During their investigation, it was revealed that the 29-year-old lived behind the juvenile and came on the property uninvited several times Thursday, causing issues. The final time he was there he assaulted the juvenile’s brother, who is also a minor.

Officials stated that the 29-year-old had a knife and ran at the juvenile, who then jumped into the Avalanche and was trying to shut and lock the door. The juvenile then grabbed a gun from the truck and fired at the 29-year-old.

According to the sheriff’s office, the juvenile will not be facing charges in connection with the shooting, and he was released to the custody of his mother.

“This was a tragic result from an unfortunate set of circumstances,” said Sheriff Barry Faile. “Based upon what we know from the investigation up to this point, the shooting was justified. The investigation is continuing, and we are following up on additional information. We will also look at the autopsy report and the results of forensic testing on the evidence collected. We will take appropriate action if any information we develop changes our initial assessment of this incident.”