2 shot in separate Lancaster County incidents, deputies say

Two people were shot in separate incidents Wednesday in Lancaster County, police said.

One of the shootings happened near the city of Lancaster, and the other in a rural southern part of Lancaster County, officials said.

The shootings were within two and a half hours of each other. Lancaster County sheriff’s officials say there is no indication the shootings are related.

At about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday a Lancaster County deputy heard gunshots and saw a 2002 Kia Optima speeding north on Pleasant Plains Road in the Kershaw area, the sheriff’s office said.

The deputy pursued the car until three men jumped out and ran. A fourth man jumped out of the car and ran toward the deputy, telling him he had been shot, according to the department.

Police say the victim was treated at a hospital for a serious, but non-life threatening injury. Investigators are working to identify the three men who ran from the scene.

Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile said in a statement he is “certain” witnesses saw the car as it sped on Pleasant Plains Road.

The second shooting happened at about 8:30 p.m. on 16th Street in Lancaster, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies were dispatched to 946 16th St., where they found a 29-year-old man lying on the edge of the street with an apparent gunshot wound.

He was hospitalized with a life-threatening injury, police said. No additional information about his condition is available.

Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and Drug Task Force and State Law Enforcement Division field agents responded to the scene.

Several neighbors were interviewed and search warrants were executed while investigators remained on the scene until almost dawn.

No arrests have been made in either case.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the young man who was injured last night and his family,” Faile said. “We intend to work this case around the clock to determine who is responsible for the horrible injury inflicted upon the victim.”

Faile encouraged anyone with information about either case to contact the sheriff’s office at 803-283-3388 or Crime Stoppers at 888-274-6372, or email crimestopperssc.com.

This story was originally published September 28, 2017 at 12:03 PM with the headline "2 shot in separate Lancaster County incidents, deputies say."