High school skip day beach shooting injures 6; police arrest 2 individuals, recover 2 pistols

Two individuals have been arrested after a mass shooting on a South Carolina beach Friday left six people inured, officials reported.

"Here we are, once again, talking about a mass shooting in the Charleston area. This is simply unacceptable," said Sheriff Kristin Graziano Saturday.

"There isn't any reason anybody should be carrying a gun to the beach," Graziano also said.

"I guarantee they know something. They're just not telling us," Graziano said, adding that they could not get cooperation from most people they spoke with Friday.

"We need them to come forward. This needs to stop."

Graziano explained that several schools in the area participated in Senior Skip Day, but officials had only become aware that morning. She implored school districts to let officials know in advance about similar events in the future.

An 18-year-old was arrested and taken to jail, officials said. He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm in the municipal parking lot, police said at a Saturday morning press conference.

Police also arrested a 16-year-old juvenile for possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful carrying of a firearm. Officials said they are still investigating whether that juvenile was involved in the shooting.

Police recovered two weapons. Both weapons are pistols.

"Officers immediately sprinted toward the [gun]fire ... to try to stop it," Chief of Police Kevin Cornett said Saturday, praising first responders' quick action. He added that "almost every law enforcement agency in the tri-county area" sent officers to assist, as well as federal and state partners.

Personnel were already on the beach when the shooting occurred. They were in the midst of breaking up two fights on the beach when shots rang out. Within three minutes, three of the victims were being tended to by first responders, he also said.

"It breaks my heart to see juveniles involved in this type of activity," Chief Cornett said.

IoPPD has established a tip line for any information related to the shooting. They encourage anyone with information, particularly videos, to call them at 843-529-3750.

City officials said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Watch WMBF's coverage below of the South Carolina shooting Friday that left six people injured.

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