Sheriff seeks witnesses to shooting and stabbing in Newberry County

COLUMBIA, SC — Authorities continue to investigate an incident that occurred Saturday evening that left one person injured at the Sunset Boat Ramp and Park in Newberry County.

Multiple 911 calls came in following a shooting and stabbing in the park. Officers from Newberry, Lake Murray Rescue and EMS responded and initially believed multiple people were injured. However, upon arrival, they confirmed only one victim.

According to Newberry Sheriff Lee Foster, a verbal altercation between two groups ensued. “We have several different stories as to who the original attacker was,” Foster said.

Foster stressed the importance of witness statements for the investigation and pointed out that numerous people have come forward since the incident. “We received several calls yesterday and a few today from people who witnessed the incident and called,” he said.

Public involvement is crucial to the investigation, Foster explained. “The police are not on the scene, so we don’t see anything on the ground. We have to look at what’s left behind, we have to pick up the pieces. So it’s important that someone who actually saw the incident comes forward to solve the case and bring charges against the appropriate people.”

Several suspects have been identified, but none have been arrested at this time. “We have identified several people from both sides of the incident,” Foster said.

Investigators are working to identify the primary aggressor and who brought the knife and gun. “We just need to find out who the primary aggressor was, who started the fight,” Foster said. “And we also need to know who brought the knife and who brought the gun.”

The victim, who is expected to survive, will be invited to the Sheriff’s Department for further questioning after his release from the hospital.

The Sunset Boat Ramp, owned by Dominion Energy, remains open to the public. Dominion declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.