A sleepover ended in tragedy following a shooting inside a South Carolina home. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about 11:30 p.m. October 26 regarding an injured child. When they arrived at the residence in the 400 block of Crosby Street, they found a 7-year-old with a gunshot wound. Shockingly, police took a 13-year-old into custody, suspected of shooting the child.
The incident caused quite an uproar online, with many condemning sleepovers and some wondering where the gun came from in the first place.
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The victim received at least one gunshot wound.
Per a news release from the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook, deputies arrived at the scene after receiving a call about a child with at least one gunshot wound to the abdomen. “Upon GCSO deputies arrival the 7-year-old was located and transported to the hospital where he is being treated for his injuries,” the release reads.
The shooting reportedly occurred at the victim's home.
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident happened at the victim’s home during a sleepover. A 13-year-old suspect allegedly left the scene, but police apprehended him a short time later at a nearby home. “An active investigation is underway to determine the cause and motive behind the incident,” police reported.
The incident caused concern and a lively discussion on social media.
Some wrote that sleepovers should not be an option. “This is why you don’t let kids sleep over, parents.” Someone else wanted more information about what happened and wrote, “Did he bring the gun or was the gun in the house but not secured?”
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Others think adults are to blame.
Though it remains unclear who the gun belonged to, many in the Facebook comment section believe the adults need to face consequences.
“Somebodys Parents need to be held accountable for this,” one person commented, and another wrote, “Adults should be charged.”
Others weren’t so quick to judge the parents. As someone else commented, “How is it the parents fault it’s easy access just like drugs and sex for young kids it’s the community no matter how hard the parents try unless gun laws change it’s easy for the babies to get things like candy.”
This person agreed and wrote that changing the laws won’t necessarily keep anyone safer. “What different law would have kept this 13 year old from getting a gun? It’s pretty simple to get anything off the streets in today’s time,” the person wrote.
There has not been an update on the victim’s condition and it’s unclear what charges the shooter may face.