Rock Hill man charged with shooting at senior citizen after taking his gun, police say

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A Rock Hill senior citizen was shot at with his own gun Sunday by a suspect who took the weapon after hitting the man in the head, police said.

The suspect, who has been out of jail less than a month, was later caught and arrested.

Maurice Kentrell Hunt, 19, of Rock Hill, is charged with attempted murder, armed robbery, possession of a gun during a violent crime and illegal weapon possession, said Capt. Mark Bollinger of the Rock Hill Police Department. Hunt was found in the 1300 block of Coronet Court and taken into custody after a foot chase, Bollinger said.

Police found the victim’s handgun on Hunt when he was arrested.

The incident happened around 3 p.m. on Eastwood Drive.

The name of the victim has not been released. His condition is unclear.

The victim was not hit by any of the gunfire. Hunt is accused of firing several shots at the victim, who was stunned when Hunt hit him, knocked him down, took the gun and shot at him.

The victim, 72, had a legal concealed carry permit and retrieved the gun from his vehicle after seeing Hunt acting violent at a nearby home, Bollinger said.

After the victim got his gun, Hunt disarmed the victim and hit the man in the head, Bollinger said.

Police urged anyone to call law enforcement if a situation looks like it could be trouble, rather than a person arming himself even if the weapon is legal.

Even those persons with concealed carry permits need to be aware of their surroundings and should follow the weapons training required for the permit, Bollinger said.

Bollinger said law enforcement officers have specific training, which most people, including those with legal weapons, do not have, to handle troubled situations. Additionally, police officers undergo periodic weapons, tactic, and other training that lay people do not have, Bollinger said.

“The best option is to call law enforcement and let trained officers handle the situation,” Bollinger said.

Hunt was released from the York County jail on Jan. 8, after pleading guilty to drug charges and damaging the York County jail while in custody. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation for the damage to the jail, with a 90-day sentence suspended, South Carolina court records show.

Hunt is being held without bond on the attempted murder and other charges from Sunday’s beating and shooting.

This story was originally published January 28, 2019 at 10:15 AM.