EDGEFIELD, S.C. — A late-morning burst of violence disrupted the calm of a small South Carolina town on Friday, leaving three people injured and two suspects in custody after an active-shooter situation on Hickory Street.
The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies rushed to the scene just after 11 a.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One of them was in such critical condition that they were airlifted to a hospital in Augusta, Georgia, for emergency treatment. The conditions of the other two victims have not been publicly disclosed.
A Quiet Street Turned Crime Scene
Hickory Street, a narrow dead-end road tucked just across from a small church, was quickly cordoned off with yellow police tape as investigators combed the area for evidence. A modest one-story house sat at the center of the investigation, with evidence markers dotting the pavement.
According to Sheriff’s officials, two people have been taken into custody in connection with the shooting. Authorities have not yet confirmed the nature of their involvement or whether additional suspects are being sought.
A Facebook Live video believed to be from the scene suggested that tensions had been brewing since earlier in the morning, possibly involving a dispute over a knife that later escalated into gunfire. However, investigators have not officially confirmed that detail.
Residents Stunned
For longtime residents, the incident is deeply unsettling. Jack Johnson, who has lived in Edgefield County for 61 years, described the shooting as “unprecedented” for the neighborhood. “This is not the Edgefield I’ve known,” he said, lamenting what he views as rising crime tied to recent changes in the community.
Johnson also recalled a separate, recent tragedy—a drive-by shooting in the area that killed a 10-year-old girl—saying the violence feels like a troubling trend for a town once known for its quiet charm.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting, or events leading up to it, to come forward. “Even the smallest detail can be important,” one sheriff’s deputy said.
The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released the names of the victims or suspects, pending family notifications. The investigation remains active, and more details are expected in the coming days.