Property Owners Face Scrutiny After String of Shootings Across South Carolina

Over the past week alone, multiple bars, hotels, gas stations, and restaurants in South Carolina have hosted dangerous shootings. Many of these shootings have proven fatal, and the surviving family members are demanding answers. Some of the relevant property owners are releasing apologies on social media, but is this really enough to make families whole? Should they share responsibility for these shootings due to their negligent security in South Carolina?

Bar Owners Issue Apology on Social Media After Fatal South Carolina Shooting

 In February of 2025, the owners of a bar in Jasper County issued an apology on social media after a fatal shooting in their parking lot. The exact circumstances of the shooting are not clear, but deputies discovered one lifeless man when they arrived at the parking lot. In their lengthy social media post, the owners stated that they prioritized the “safety and well-being of [their] patrons and community.” However, they did not reveal any specific steps they had taken to improve security on their premises.

Two Arrested After Fatal Shooting at South Carolina Motel 

Days earlier, two people were taken into custody in connection with a fatal shooting at a motel in Sumter County. Police rushed to the scene after reports of gunshots, arriving at about 11 PM to find a deceased man and an injured woman. Two people were taken into custody on murder charges, and police say that they were “acquaintances” of the deceased and injured individuals. Again, there was no word on security measures taken by the hotel owners.

Man Faces Felonies After Initiating Gun Fight at South Carolina Gas Station 

Also in February, a man was charged with felony assault charges after police determined that he had initiated a gun fight in Cary, South Carolina. Police responded to the scene to find a man with gunshot wounds. Initially, they assumed that the man was a victim of gun violence. However, they eventually determined that this injured individual had provoked the attack from the other combatant. As a result, investigators found that this other man had acted in self-defense – and the injured man was charged with felony assault instead.

Man Found Guilty After Opening Fire in South Carolina Pool Hall 

In late January, the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office announced that the man who opened fire in a crowded South Carolina pool hall had been convicted of murder and other offenses. The incident occurred in 2022, and it caused the death of a 23-year-old. As a result of his conviction, the defendant was sentenced to 45 years in prison. Security personnel were present but unable to stop the violence.

Can a Negligent Security Lawyer in South Carolina Help After a Shooting? 

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one due to a shooting, a negligent security lawyer in South Carolina may be able to help. With their assistance, it could be possible to file a wrongful death lawsuit and recover enough compensation to cover funeral expenses, lost earnings, unpaid medical bills, emotional distress, and various other damages. To learn more about this possibility, feel free to contact Mickelsen & Dalton at your earliest convenience.

Sources: 

wyff4.com/article/south-carolina-deadly-bar-shooting-tailgators/63652035

thestate.com/news/local/crime/article299225649.html

wral.com/news/local/shot-fired-cary-convenience-store-robbery-jan-2025/

scsolicitor14.org/deadly-pool-hall-shooting-ends-with-conviction-prison-sentence/