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WINNSBORO – With five suspected drive-by shooters arrested during the last week, and a tenuous respite in the drive-by shootings, violence in the city continues, with a Winnsboro man shot to death Friday, Aug. 19, in a convenience store.

The Winnsboro Department of Public Safety was called to Citgo at the intersection of US Hwy 321 and Ninth Street about midnight after a man who was fighting with another man in the convenience  store was shot multiple times by a third man, according to Winnsboro Public Safety Department Chief John Seibles.

The shooting victim, Martez Kemontae Hughes, 21, was transported to Prisma Health where he succumbed to his injuries.

Dydreekus Dwight McDaniel, 24, admitted to officers that he had shot the victim, according to the incident report. He was arrested and booked into the Fairfield County Detention Center. McDaniel is charged with murder.

The death was preceded by 10 drive-by shootings since April 21, 2022 and five wounded victims.

Arrests Increase

At least five arrests of suspects in the shootings have been made in the last week with the help of Fairfield County Sheriff’s Deputies and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

After Fairfield County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two 17-year-olds on Aug. 19 in Ridgeway in connection with a drive–by shooting at Chatham Forrest and Calhoun Street, Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery said his office has had a number of deputies working overtime recently to assist the WDPS in finding and arresting several suspects in the various drive-by shootings.

“On Thursday night, we had eight deputies working overtime, and we’re going to continue that until we get these criminals off our streets and in jail,” Montgomery said.

The two teens were each charged with unlawful carry, possession of a firearm by persons under 21, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Both were charged with attempted murder and several weapons charges.

“I’m very appreciative to the sheriff’s office and how they’ve worked together with our Winnsboro Department of Public Safety to get some of these criminals off the streets,” Winnsboro Town Manager Jason Taylor said. “It’s a relief to know these people are being arrested for their crimes.”

“Going forward,” Taylor said, “We want to keep our citizens safe, and we’re going to. We’ve lost some very good officers recently and we need to recruit some other good ones. We’re also exploring installing a camera system in some communities to help deter people from this kind of violence. We want to be able to quickly identify and get these criminals off the streets,” he said.

On Aug. 21, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department arrested a female after a warrant for attempted murder had been issued for her arrest in connection with two men being shot on Calhoun Street in June. One man was shot in the stomach, and another in the back.

The next morning, Aug. 22, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office, working with WDPS and SLED, arrested a 17-year-old in connection with a shooting on Aug. 11 on College Street near Spring Street in Zion Hill that left a teen shot twice in the shoulder and in his chin.

Later that same day, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office arrested 18-year-old Chazzon Kennedy under a WDPS warrant in connection with a drive-by shooting in the Chatham Forrest neighborhood. He was charged with attempted murder.

Another teen, 19-year-old Quinshawn Ditrakius Hill, was also arrested at the same time after an attempted murder warrant had been issued for his arrest. He was also charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Both were booked into the Fairfield County Detention Center.

Seibles believes most of the drive-by shootings seem to be acts of retribution.

“There are little groups going back and forth,” Seibles said. “It’s retaliatory.”

Mayor John McMeekin said it’s imperative to put an end to the shootings.

“We feel we have identified the shooters and when they are apprehended, we will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law,” McMeekin said.

Seibles: I Thank God for Blessing my Law Enforcement Career

WINNSBORO – John Seibles, Chief of the Winnsboro Public Safety Department, resigned his post Tuesday afternoon after 47 years in law enforcement in Fairfield County.

In a letter to Town Manager Jason Taylor, Seibles wrote, “I have enjoyed serving the citizens of the Town of Winnsboro, the dedicated Law Enforcement Officers of the department and the faithful volunteers who have devoted their time and service to the department. I will now have the opportunity to be of greater service to Him. I will continue to pray for the success of the Town in its future endeavors.”

His resignation is effective Sept. 6, 2022.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Chief Seibles,” Taylor told The Voice. “We thank him for his service and all that he’s done for the Town while serving as Chief. We certainly wish him well in his retirement and future endeavors.”

“I want to thank you, Chief Seibles, for your dedicated service to the Town of Winnsboro. May you receive the greatest of blessings on your new journey,” Winnsboro Mayor John McMeekin added.

Taylor said he would immediately begin trying to identify and name an interim chief.

“Then, we’ll move forward in a search for a permanent chief,” Taylor said.

Seibles was appointed interim chief in October, 2016 after his predecessor Freddy Lorick, Sr. was arrested in a prostitution sting in Columbia.

Don Wood, who was then Winnsboro Town Manager, hired Seibles for the permanent position on March 23. 2017

“I had applied for the position and, you know, it’s a small town and you hear little rumors, but the confirmation came and I guess I was not necessarily that surprised, but kind of, sort of,” Seibles told The Voice at the time.

Seibles’ career in law enforcement began in the Fairfield County Department of Corrections and included a stint with the Town of Winnsboro from 1978-1982 and later with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office. He also served 10 years as Director of the Fairfield County Detention Center and after his retirement he returned to the Winnsboro Police Department in 2003 as a School Resource Officer.

WINNSBORO – Two more arrests have been made in connection with the Winnsboro drive-by shootings.

Early this morning (Monday, Aug. 22), about 6:30, a 17-year-old male suspect in a shooting on W. College Street was arrested by the Winnsboro Department of Public Safety. 

The shooting occurred Aug. 11 on College Street near Spring St. in Zion Hill. The victim, also a teen, was shot in the upper chest. 

There is no more information on the suspect at this time.

Female Arrested 

Last night, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department arrested a female in connection with a shooting on Calhoun Street that occurred last June, according to WDPS Chief John Seibles. 

That shooting occurred about 11:30 p.m. in late June in the 200 block of Calhoun Street.

Officers determined that the shooter’s vehicle was driving west on Calhoun when someone fired multiple shots, hitting two juveniles as they were walking west on Calhoun, according to the report.

A witness reported a gray sedan with tinted windows had driven slowly down Calhoun prior to the shooting.

One of the victims was shot in the back and the other initially told officers that a bullet grazed his stomach, but officers reported that he had difficulty standing and moving as he was loaded into the ambulance.

Officers reported that both victims were transported to Prisma Hospital in Columbia where they underwent surgery. Both were later reported to be in stable condition.

These arrests are a developing story and more information will be posted as it becomes available.

GREENBRIER – The motorcycle rider who was killed in a Friday night crash on U.S. Hwy 269, about 3 miles south of Winnsboro has been publicly identified by the Fairfield County Coroner’s Office. 

James Cohen is the motorcycle rider who died in the accident, Coroner Chris Hill said Monday. 

The 48-year-old Winnsboro resident died at the scene, according to Hill. The single-vehicle collision happened at about 10:40 p.m.., said Master Trooper Brandon Lee of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. 

Cohen was driving south near Runway Road when the bike ran off the right side of Highway 269, according to Lee.

WINNSBORO – Two teens suspected of involvement in a series of drive-by shootings in Winnsboro were arrested Thursday night, Aug. 18, by Fairfield County Sheriff’s  deputies. 

Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery said the arrests were made following a traffic stop at Smallwood Road and Bellfield Road (Ridgeway) on a Silver Toyota Four Runner. The two teens, both 17, were in the vehicle.

Deputies also located two loaded hand guns, multiple magazines, marijuana and a substantial amount of ammunition in the vehicle. After being taken into custody, the two teens were turned over to the Winnsboro Department of Public Safety (WDPS).

Ten drive-by shootings have been reported in Winnsboro since April 21, leaving five teens wounded. The latest shooting, according to law enforcement, occurred Aug. 11, in the Zion Hill section of Winnsboro, leaving a 17-year-old with gunshots to his upper chest and along his chin.

Montgomery told The Voice that his office has had a number of deputies working overtime recently to assist the WDPS in finding and arresting several suspects in the various drive-by shootings.

“On Thursday night, we had eight deputies working overtime, and we’re going to continue that until we get these criminals off our streets and in jail,” Montgomery said.

The two teens were each charged with unlawful carry, possession of a firearm by persons under 21, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

He said his deputies have been working with WDPS and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to put an end to the drive-by shootings and other gun violence in the town and county.

To provide the Sheriff’s Office with information concerning the drive-by shootings or other crimes, call 803-635-4141

WINNSBORO – A Winnsboro teen has been shot in the upper chest during the town’s latest drive-by shooting, according to town officials. A bullet also grazed the 17-year-old’s chin. The shooting occurred around 7 p.m., on Aug. 11, on College Street near Spring St. in Zion Hill.

A vehicle was reportedly driving past two teens walking along the street when a person in the vehicle opened fire, hitting one of the teens multiple times, according to Winnsboro Department of Public Safety Chief John Seibles.

The victim was transported to Prisma Health in Columbia where he was at first listed in serious condition and later downgraded to stable condition, according to law enforcement officials. Information was not available at press time on whether the teen had been released from the hospital.

An arrest warrant was issued for the incident on Monday.

According a Facebook post by WDPS Investigator Oren Gadson, much of the investigative work on the shootings is a shared effort between the WDPS and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office.

This is not a one man job, tracking these kids down,” according to the post. Gadson wrote that the Sheriff’s department has been a vital part of the shooting investigations.

“These shootings are, for the most part, teens retaliating against each other and it takes teamwork to solve them,” Seibles told The Voice in a previous interview.

Last week’s shooting is the tenth drive-by shooting in Winnsboro since April, and involves the sixth and most seriously injured shooting victim.

Town Manager Jason Taylor told The Voice he was on the phone most of the night of the shooting with law enforcement and other government officials.

“We have to get hold of this situation,” Taylor said. “It can’t go on. Somebody, an innocent person, could get killed if this continues.”

Taylor requested that Winnsboro Department of Public Safety (WDPS) Chief John Seibles appear before town council Tuesday evening to answer questions and present what is being done to stem the violence in the city.

Seibles said he and his officers are working on it.

“We have some warrants out now and expect to be making arrests soon.” Seibles said.

The Zion Hill shooting occurred just six days after another drive-by shooting in the Chatham Forrest neighborhood. In that shooting, two 13-year-olds were each shot in a leg. 

“Several juveniles who had been walking at the entrance to Chatham Forest subdivision were sitting on the Chatham Forest sign when a gray vehicle drove down Ninth Street, headed for the bypass, and fired several shots, hitting two of the young men,” Seibles said.

One teen was shot in the left leg and the other was shot in the right leg.

No arrests have been made in any of the cases, but the sheer number of shootings and the danger they pose is now a focus of the mayor and town administration.

Town leaders react

Taylor called the recent rash of shooting incidents “unacceptable.”

Taylor said efforts are underway to prevent future shootings. Those efforts include increased patrols and installing security cameras.

“This is not acceptable. This should not be normal,” Taylor said. “We do not want to see guns discharged within our town.”

Police Chief John Seibles said at least five arrest warrants have been obtained, two of them for attempted murder.

In some instances, the public has been reluctant to cooperate, but Seibles said Gadson has received enough assistance from residents to zero in on some suspects.

“We certainly intend to bring an end to this very soon,” Seibles said. “We are working very hard.

“We are pursuing this very diligently. This will not be taken lightly in the Town of Winnsboro.”

Seibles believes most shootings seem to be acts of retribution.

“There are little groups going back and forth,” he said. “It’s retaliatory.”

Mayor John McMeekin agreed that it’s imperative to put an end to the shootings.

“We feel we have identified the shooters and when they are apprehended, we will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law,” McMeekin said.

“If people don’t feel comfortable and safe in their own town, that’s not good,” he said. “We must provide a safe environment, a safe town for our citizens. And we will.”

“I think both the victims are only 13 years old,” Seibles said.

“We interviewed several of the teens who were at the entrance with the victims,” Seibles said. “The injuries were not life-threatening, and both have been released from the hospital.

”Both young men who were shot said they did not recognize the shooters,” Seibles said. “We’ve not been able to confirm how many were in the vehicle, but we have a suspect and are working on that now.”

Second Shooting, Same Place

The Sunday shooting, which happened at about 6:38 p.m., also in Chatham Forest subdivision, didn’t appear to be a drive-by shooting, according to Seibles.

“Four people were sitting in a parked vehicle at a residence,” Seibles said, “when one of the four in the vehicle – a young man – was shot in the buttocks. We’re not sure yet just what happened in that vehicle, but officers on the scene said it appeared that the shot was discharged from inside the vehicle,” he said. “The person who we believe was the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.”

A woman at the scene said one man sped off in a second (burgundy) vehicle and another man left in a third (white) vehicle.

The gunshot victim drove himself to the emergency room and the fourth man accompanied him.

Seibles said he does not know yet if the two Chatham Forest shootings were related, but said the incident is still being investigated by the WDPS.

WINNSBORO – Two more drive-by shootings since Friday, Aug. 5 – making 10 since April 21 – and an apparent non-drive-by shooting on Sunday have left at least five people suffering non-life threatening bullet wounds.

The drive-by shooting on Friday, Aug 5, occurred just after school had dismissed for the day, according to Winnsboro Department of Public Safety (WDPS) Chief John Seibles.

“Several juveniles walking home from school had stopped at the entrance to Chatham Forest subdivision and were sitting on the Chatham Forest sign when a gray vehicle drove down Ninth Street headed for the bypass and fired several shots, hitting two of the young men,” Seibles said.

One teen was shot in the left leg and the other was shot in the right leg.

“I think both the victims are only 13 years old,” Seibles said.

“We interviewed several of the teens who were at the entrance with the victims,” Seibles said. “The injuries were not life-threatening, and both have been released from the hospital.

”Both young men who were shot said they did not recognize the shooters,” Seibles said. “We’ve not been able to confirm how many were in the vehicle, but we have a suspect and are working on that now.”

Second Shooting, Same Place

The Sunday shooting, which happened at about 6:38 p.m. – also in Chatham Forest subdivision – didn’t appear to be a drive-by shooting, according to Seibles.

“Four people were sitting in a parked vehicle at a residence,” Seibles said, “when one of the four in the vehicle – a young man – was shot in the buttocks. We’re not sure yet just what happened in that vehicle, but officers on the scene said it appeared that the shot was discharged from inside the vehicle,” he said. “The person who we believe was the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.”

A woman at the scene said one man sped off in a second (burgundy) vehicle and another man left in a third (white) vehicle.

The gunshot victim drove himself to the emergency room and the fourth man accompanied him.

Seibles said he does not know yet if the two Chatham Forest shootings were related, but said the incident is still being investigated by the WDPS.

Third Shooting

The most recent shooting occurred at about 2:20 Tuesday morning, this time in the 400 block of Vanderhorst Street.

When officers arrived, a woman told them that a dark colored Oldsmobile had driven past the home three times and on the third time, opened fire on the house, shooting several times, the incident report stated.

While the victim in the home stated that no one was hit or injured, it was reported that several bullet holes were observed on the exterior of the home as well as on the interior in a dining room wall.