The Aiken Department of Public Safety charged two people in connection with the shooting of three people at South Aiken High School following rivalry basketball games last week.
Police arrested 18-year-old Dedrick Dashaun Nelson, of Beech Island, on Wednesday and charged him with carrying a pistol on school property and unlawful carrying of a pistol, jail records show.
Rakish Breon Jenkins, 18, of Aiken, was arrested on Thursday and charged with carrying of a pistol on school property and two counts of unlawful carrying of a pistol, police said.
A hold for awaiting warrants is listed under Jenkins' name in jail records.
Three people — a 13-year-old girl, a 45-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man — were shot outside the front doors of South Aiken on Jan. 27 after a fight broke out in front of the school's entrance just after 9 p.m.
Nearly 1,000 students, spectators and guests had attended the girl's and boy's basketball games between South Aiken and Aiken high schools.
It was not immediately clear what roles Nelson and Jenkins played in the South Aiken shooting incident.
Jail records show Nelson had been jailed on a gun charge last year. In April 2016, he was arrested by the S.C. Highway Patrol and charged with simple possession of marijuana and unlawful carry of a pistol, according to jail records.
Public Safety Chief Charles Barranco said in a release that Thursday's arrests are a result of teamwork and cooperation between Public Safety; the Aiken County Sheriff's Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (RAGE) Task Force; the Second Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office; the State Law Enforcement Division; the Aiken County Public School District; and "most importantly, the residents of our Aiken community."
The investigation is being handled by the Aiken Department of Public Safety, the Second Judicial Circuit and ATF's Regional Anti-Gang Enforcement Unit, which is comprised of Aiken County law enforcement agencies and SLED, along with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.
Meanwhile, the ATF has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for anyone else who may be responsible for the shooting at South Aiken High.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.
Tips also can be submitted to ATF through the ReportIt app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.
All calls and tips will be kept confidential.
Just after 9 p.m. on Jan. 27, police called in an active shooter alert after three people were struck by bullets outside the front entrance of South Aiken High School. Police said six off-duty, uniformed police officers were at the game because of the expected attendance – all were carrying their weapons.
South Aiken is located off Pine Log Road in Aiken.
A 45-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, and was found in front of the school. A 13-year-old girl was struck in the lower leg, and was found at the Arby's located across the street from South Aiken on Whiskey Road.
Both were taken to an Augusta hospital for treatment.
Police later learned of a third victim – a 19-year-old man – who suffered gunshot injuries to the hand and leg. He was taken to Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
Police said all three victims have non-life threatening injuries.
That following Monday, as a precaution, police added additional officers to Aiken and South Aiken high schools. Then on Wednesday, the Aiken County Public School District announced additional security measures that would become familiar to all students, parents and faculty attending major athletic events in the county.
Those security measures are:
• Each middle and high school will have uniformed law enforcement to assist with security at all major sporting events. In addition to police, school administration will develop and execute a specified plan of supervision to include enhanced security before, during and after the event. Law enforcement and/or school staff will regularly monitor hallways, common areas, parking lots and outdoor areas. Law enforcement will take an active role in securing the building exterior and parking areas as patrons and students exit the venue.
• School staff will conduct a visual search of all bags and jackets/coats prior to entry. Students and families are asked to leave bags, backpacks and additional items at home, if possible. Per South Carolina law, concealed weapons permits are not honored on school campuses.
• Metal detectors will be available, visible and used by school staff prior to entry, as deemed necessary.
The School District said certain training aspects will need to take place prior to some of the enhanced measures being utilized. However, the addition of uniformed law enforcement at middle and high schools was put into effect at the start of the week.
District Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford called last week's shooting a "terrible shock to our entire education community."
“We are certainly relieved and thankful that none of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries and that all three are expected to make full recoveries," he said.
