North Charleston Police are conducting an investigation into two interconnected incidents in Ladson that tragically left four people dead on Wednesday evening.

The initial shooting was reported at approximately 4:41 p.m. at the Abberly Crossing Apartment complex, located in the 9600 block of Patriots Boulevard.

According to police spokesman Harve Jacobs, officers responded to reports of a suspect exiting a residence armed with an AR-style rifle.

Witnesses reported that the suspect physically assaulted one individual and fatally shot three others before fleeing the scene.

The suspect was described as wearing a helmet and body armor.

Upon entering the residence, officers discovered three victims who had succumbed to gunshot wounds. Their identities have not yet been released.

Witnesses at the scene provided police with a description of the suspect’s vehicle, enabling officers to track it to a second residence in the 4000 block of Briarstone Court.

As officers investigated the suspect’s vehicle at the second location, the suspect exited the residence holding a 5-year-old child.

Officers confronted the suspect at gunpoint, prompting him to place the child safely on the ground.

Moments later, the suspect turned the firearm on himself, sustaining fatal injuries.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

North Charleston Police Chief Ron Camacho confirmed that the suspect was related to the three victims found at the initial scene.

The North Charleston Police Department, in collaboration with the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.

Additional details, including the identities of the victims and suspect, will be released as the investigation progresses.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the North Charleston Police Department or Crime Stoppers.