Walmart shooting in Lancaster, SC: Of 6 charged, 2 in jail, 1 hospitalized, 3 still sought
Three people accused of a being part of a shootout at a South Carolina Walmart store in the city of Lancaster Tuesday afternoon have been charged, and police said they’re looking for at least three additional suspects.
Two people were injured in the gunfire around 2:30 p.m. in the store on the S.C. 9 Bypass. Yet it remains unclear how many shots were fired or by how many people — or why the violence happened.
Lareakus Antonio Cunningham Jr., 18, and Na’Rickio Laquan Mickle, 19, were denied bail Wednesday in court after they were charged with attempted murder, breach of peace, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to the Lancaster Police Department and jail records. Both are from Lancaster.
Police have arrest warrants for a third adult who was wounded during the shooting and remains hospitalized. His name and charges have not been released pending his arrest.
Police said they’re looking for three other suspects — two adults and one juvenile. Police have arrest warrants against all three.
Police have not named either person wounded.
In a written statement late Tuesday night, Lancaster police confirmed “multiple individuals discharged their weapons during the shooting.”
Lancaster Police Chief Don Roper said none of the people involved were employees, and investigators believe they knew each other.
“These were people that came from outside and had an interaction inside the building,” Roper said.
As of Wednesday, police have not said if the shooting was captured on store surveillance video or any other cameras.
The store is located at 805 S.C. Bypass West inside the city of about 9,000 people east of Rock Hill and south of Charlotte. The store remained closed Wednesday “until further notice,” according to a Facebook posting on the store’s page.
There was a huge law enforcement presence at and outside the store afterward Tuesday as Lancaster city police and other agencies worked the scene.
Roper said at a news conference around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday broadcast on the department’s Facebook page: “There is no longer an active threat” at the store.
“The scene has been searched and is secure,” Roper said.
Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile said local, state, and federal law enforcement worked together “trying to apprehend those involved and bring some peace to our community.”
Check back for updates.
This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 3:47 PM.
