Tragedy Strikes as 3 Teens Lose Their Lives in South Carolina Shooting; 3 Classmates Face Charges

A heartbreaking shooting incident in South Carolina has left three teenagers dead and three others facing charges, according to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. The incident, described as chaotic and seemingly rooted in a dispute from over two years ago, unfolded in Columbia on Sunday.

The three victims, aged 16 and 17, succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital, while a fourth victim, a 14-year-old, was shot but later released after receiving medical treatment, Sheriff Lott confirmed during a press conference held in Columbia on Monday.

In his remarks, Sheriff Lott expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and called the shooting “over something stupid.” He highlighted the senselessness of resorting to violence and firearms, especially over disputes that had occurred years ago.

The victims were identified as Caleb Wise, 16, JaKobe Fanning, 16, and Dre’von Riley, 17, by the Richland County Coroner’s office. The coroner’s spokesperson, Jeffrey Lampkin, revealed that the cause of death for all three teenagers was multiple gunshot wounds, classified as homicides.

The sheriff’s office has taken action in the case, with the arrest of two 17-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy in connection with the shooting. The charges brought against them include murder, attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and possession of a handgun under the age of 18.

Notably, all of the teenagers involved in the incident were students at Alcorn Middle School and Eau Claire High School. JaKobe was in ninth grade, Dre’von was in 10th grade, and Caleb was in 11th grade, according to Karen York, a spokesperson for the Richland County School District.

District Superintendent Craig Witherspoon expressed deep grief over the loss of the three young lives and requested thoughts and prayers for the students’ families, as well as the students and staff at Eau Claire High School. Crisis counselors were made available to support students and staff, and additional security measures were put in place on campus.

The shooting occurred on Sunday around 2 p.m. when the four boys were sitting in front of an empty house. Two 17-year-olds approached them and began firing multiple rounds, creating a chaotic scene with many victims, according to Sheriff Lott. The suspects continued to fire as the victims attempted to flee to the backyard. The exact involvement of the 14-year-old who was arrested remains unclear.

Sheriff Lott indicated that the motive behind the shooting was related to a previous dispute, which he referred to as a “beef” that had been ongoing for two years, initially triggered by a burglary. He expressed his dismay at the fact that young people had chosen to resolve their differences through violence, resulting in the tragic loss of three teenage lives.

During a press conference on Monday, Sheriff Lott, along with other community leaders, emphasized the importance of collective action to prevent senseless tragedies like this. He called on educators, community leaders, elected officials, and the community as a whole to come together to save young lives, emphasizing that too many young people are being lost to violence.