‘We can’t do this alone’: Sheriff, community leaders address recent deadly shootings in Darlington County

DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – Darlington County Sheriff James Hudson Jr. sent a clear message that enough is enough when it comes to gun violence in the county.

“We really need to get to work on how we are going to reduce some of these shootings that [are] occurring in our community,” he said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Hudson was joined by other community leaders just 12 hours after the latest homicide, which happened at around 2 a.m. on North Main Street in Darlington. Further details about what happened were not made available, but authorities said the incident remains under investigation.

“As sheriff of Darlington County, I rely on people to help,” said Hudson. “I know I can’t do this by myself. My officers were out until late this morning working on the recent homicide and we’re working on leads so we can make an arrest on that.”

Wednesday’s homicide marked the second in Darlington County within a week. The other shooting happened early Sunday on Mystic Pines Drive. The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division is assisting in both investigations.

Hudson also asked for anyone with information to come forward but also said it’s time the community has important conversations with kids and young adults in the area to discourage acts of violence.

Darlington Police Chief Jimmy Davis was also at Wednesday’s press conference and confirmed that another shooting was reported late Tuesday within city limits.

However, he added that investigators were having a hard time finding a victim.

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to call the Pee Dee Crime Stoppers at 888-247-6372.

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