Police seek public's help after shooting

Aiken Public Safety Cpl. Jeremy Hembree left Crime Stoppers information cards at Club Dreams where official say a fight started that led to a shooting at a Richland Avenue Waffle House. Aiken Public Safety officers left the Crime Stoppers cards at a number of places on Monday, looking for the public's help.

Two Waffle House shooting victims' medical conditions and witnesses' unwillingness to cooperate has Aiken Public Safety officers knocking on doors and pleading with the public for information, officials said.

Early Monday, the two men were hospitalized after being shot outside the Richland Avenue Waffle House.

De Lance Walton, 18, was shot in the abdomen and hip.

De Lacy Walton, 20, was shot in the leg.

The men are still hospitalized and at press time were unable to speak with investigators.

The siblings are from Augusta and were likely at Club Dreams on Richland Avenue earlier in the evening when an argument erupted around 2 a.m. Monday, and at least one shot was fired. That argument continued and escalated in the Waffle House parking lot shortly after the bar's closing, police said.

Investigators have made some headway, but Lt. David Turno said witnesses have not been forthcoming.

The men's parents are trying to help police track down the men linked to the shooting.

"We implore anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers," the police lieutenant said. "There are people who saw things who are not speaking."

What investigators have been able to gather thus far is that the fight broke out at Club Dreams around 2 a.m. Witnesses have said two black men in a 2004 or 2005 Chevy Impala or Malibu with Georgia license plates drove by when the shots were fired.

Police have learned some identifying information.

The driver is said to be a man nicknamed "Brother" who has dreadlocks. His passenger, "Chad," is described as having a light complexion. He also had dreadlocks.

After the shooting, a large group, which has been estimated to be in excess of 30 people, went to the Waffle House on Richland Avenue, where another fight reportedly broke out. While there, one of the suspects seen earlier in the Chevy shot a gun several times, striking both Walton brothers. Police have learned that multiple shots were fired.

It is unclear at this time if there was any return gunfire, police said.

The two Walton men were taken to the Aiken emergency room where hospital staffers called the police.

Police said most of the witnesses at the emergency room were "very uncooperative."

The vehicle in which the men were reportedly driving was used to take the men to the hospital. Police said that vehicle has been impounded as evidence.

Call CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at (888) CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.