GREENVILLE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA — With an estimated 200 people packed into a nightclub last night, gunfire erupted and police believe that it could have been a result of gang violence.
Innocent people, including a 23-year-old woman and a security guard, were killed. At least 8 others were injured.
“We didn’t get a call,” Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said. “A deputy was literally driving by here and saw the commotion and had the courage, with probably one hundred people in the parking lot, to pull in and find out what was going on.”
The Sheriff told reporters that some of the people involved were known gang members.
Scene at Club Lavish where 12 people were shot. @GvlCoSheriff on scene along with forensics. Anyone with info. should call 23-CRIME. #breaking pic.twitter.com/U4Xj9jSmFZ
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) July 5, 2020
The Greenville Coroner’s Office confirms two people succumbed to their injuries. Later Sunday afternoon, the Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as a 51-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman.
Mr. Clarence Sterling Johnson passed away at Greenville Memorial Hospital around 2:52 a.m. after suffering a gunshot wound. Sheriff Lewis says Johnson was a security guard who was hit by gunfire while standing right next to the front of the stage, near the front entrance.
Lewis said Johnson was well-known in the area, well liked, and non-confrontational.
via foxcarolina.com
The second victim who died was identified as 23-year-old Mykala Bell, who was brought to the hospital with a gunshot wound. She died shortly after arriving.
“She was absolutely an innocent victim,” Sheriff Lewis said. “Truly the definition of an innocent bystander.”
Eight other victims have injuries categorized as non-life threatening to critical.
We are incredibly saddened by the news this morning of a shooting at a nightclub in Greenville. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims, and we are praying for a full recovery for those who were injured.
— Congressman William Timmons (@RepTimmons) July 5, 2020
The nightclub is facing extra criticism for being open during the pandemic, going against regulations set forth by the city.
“It’s unacceptable and it cost two people their life,” Lewis said of the operation of the club despite orders from the governor. “They need to be held accountable.”
Let’s hope those responsible are brought to justice, and caged like the animals they are. We’ll never get a hold on gang violence, and one doesn’t have to look further than Chicago. If they want to kill one another, that’s the way they run their useless lives. But when they bring these fights to locations with innocent people, things tend to change.
