Crime
32-year-old Antonio Ferguson charged with murder in shooting death of 40-year-old Reggie Dantzler at South Carolina Motorplex
Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced that Antonio Ferguson, a 32-year-old resident of Allendale, has been charged in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred on Saturday evening.
“This is yet another senseless murder that stemmed from an argument,” Sheriff Ravenell stated. “It’s a tragic reminder of how quickly disputes can escalate into violence.”
Ferguson faces charges of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He is accused of fatally shooting 40-year-old Reggie Dantzler of Orangeburg and injuring two others during the incident.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a shooting just before 6 p.m. on Saturday at the South Carolina Motorplex.
Investigators revealed that a verbal altercation preceded the shooting, which escalated into a violent confrontation.
Dantzler was pronounced dead at the scene, while the two injured individuals were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Their conditions have not been disclosed.
Ferguson is expected to make his first court appearance on Saturday. Investigator Tajah Lawton is leading the ongoing investigation into the case.
The sheriff’s office urges anyone with information related to the incident to come forward to assist in the investigation.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.