Charleston, SC – The Charleston Police Department responded to three separate shooting incidents over the weekend, resulting in multiple hospitalizations.
Incident 1: Shooting Following Stolen Vehicle Pursuit
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m., deputies from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office were pursuing a stolen vehicle in the West Ashley area. The pursuit was terminated as the vehicle entered downtown Charleston. Shortly thereafter, Charleston Police officers responded to a crash involving the stolen vehicle at Romney Street and North Romney Street.
During the investigation, officers learned that a bystander who witnessed the crash approached the vehicle to assist. One of the vehicle’s occupants shot the bystander, who was later treated at a local hospital for a non-life-threatening injury and has since been released. With the assistance of the CPD K-9 unit, officers located and apprehended all occupants of the vehicle.
- 15-year-old offender
- Charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, and reckless driving.
- 13-year-old offender
- Charged with attempted murder, assault and battery 1st degree, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.
Incident 2: Armed Robbery and Shooting in West Ashley
Later that same day, around 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the Spanish Oaks Apartments in West Ashley. Upon arrival, they located a teenage victim who reported being robbed at gunpoint while sitting on his front porch. When the victim refused to comply with the suspect’s demands for money, he was pistol-whipped and then shot. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is expected to recover.
This was not a random encounter; detectives determined there was some level of familiarity between the involved parties.
Incident 3: Downtown Charleston Shooting and Large Disturbance
In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 27, 2025, officers patrolling the area of America Street and Johnson Street heard approximately 10–12 gunshots. They quickly found a teenage victim with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Again, this was not a random encounter; there was some known association between the individuals involved.
While officers were aiding the victim and securing the scene, a large and unruly crowd gathered, creating a volatile situation. Additional CPD units and officers from surrounding jurisdictions were called in to assist.
Chief Chito Walker said, "This weekend’s violence was largely driven by teenagers with guns. It is a hard reminder of a deeper issue. One that does not begin on our streets, but at home. These are not isolated events; they are symptoms of a larger challenge we must all confront together. Public safety demands that we take these matters seriously, and the Charleston Police Department will continue to tackle this head-on. We will not accept this level of violence as a repetitive norm. It is up to all of us - families, communities, and institutions alike - to change the trajectory of this unacceptable behavior."
All three incidents remain under investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Charleston Police Department at 843-720-2422 (ask for the on-duty Central Detective) or submit a tip online at www.charleston-sc.gov/tips.
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PLEASE NOTE – THE VEHICLE PURSUIT THAT ENDED ON ROMNEY STREET IS NOT RELATED TO NCPD’S VEHICLE PURSUIT YESTERDAY THAT ENDED ON MEETING STREET
Media Release
Release Date: April 27, 2025
Media Contact: Sgt. C. Stinson
E-mail: cpdpublicinformationteam@charleston-sc.gov