COLUMBIA — Four teenagers are each facing eight attempted murder charges in the shooting that injured an off-duty Richland County deputy and his fiancée at their home.

On Aug. 20, deputy Terrance Crawford and his fiancée were having a small gathering at their home near Elgin. At around 11:30 p.m. that night, the couple had stepped out on the front porch and saw people walking down the cul-de-sac. Shots were fired, striking both Crawford and his fiancée, according to deputies.

Sheriff Leon Lott claimed the shooting was gang-related during a Sept. 1 press conference announcing the arrests. The bullet wasn’t meant for Crawford or his fiancée. It was meant for one of the six people inside the home, he said.

The shooting was the 96th drive-by or walk-up shooting at a Richland home this year, Lott said.

“One of these gangs sent word to us that if we hurt one of them they’re going to hurt two of us,” Lott said. “It don’t work that way in Richland County.”

During the investigation, six search warrants were executed by the department and Columbia Police Department. Six weapons were seized. Deputies said one was a ballistics match.

Deputies arrested 18-year-old Shawn Ledinerio Wise, 17-year-old RayShaun S. Lair, 17-year-old Damarrious M. Rodgers and 17-year-old Emmaurie L. Shorten, on eight charges of attempted murder as well as possessing a weapon during a violent crime.

“I get asked all the time ‘what’s the three top problems we got?'” Lott said. “Kids with guns. Kids with guns. Kids with guns.”

The deputy and his fiancée were sent to a hospital and have since recovered, according to the sheriff. Crawford, a school resource officer, goes back to work next week, Lott said.

September 1, 2023 | Post and Courier, The: Columbia Edition (SC)

Author/Byline: Caitlin Ashworth cashworth@postandcourier.com | Section: Columbia