Crime
Calhoun County Teen Charged in Fatal Shooting After Allegedly Consuming Drug-Laced Gummy; Victim Identified as Darius Aiken
Calhoun County, SC – The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has provided new details regarding a fatal shooting that took place Friday evening, clarifying that the victims were not wearing masks, despite the suspect’s claims at the time of the incident.
Deputies responded to a residence in the 300 block of Cardinal Road in Elloree at approximately 8:00 p.m. following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers discovered two gunshot victims.
19-year-old Darius Aiken, a recent returnee to the Elloree area from Summerton, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second victim, who sustained non-fatal injuries, was airlifted to Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia for treatment.
Investigators later questioned a 16-year-old suspect and his father, who were also at the scene.
According to authorities, the teen suspect had ingested a marijuana-laced gummy and began experiencing paranoia and overheating.
As the effects of the substance intensified, the teen claimed he perceived two individuals wearing white masks in the kitchen.
He then went into his father’s bedroom, retrieved a shotgun, and returned to the kitchen.
Without provocation, he shot Aiken at close range, then fired at the second victim, who was attempting to flee.
The second victim was struck by bullet shrapnel but not a direct shot.
However, authorities later confirmed that neither victim was wearing a mask, and the shooter personally knew both individuals prior to the attack.
The sheriff’s office also noted that Aiken was the suspect’s neighbor, and the group had been socializing together before the tragic events unfolded.
Investigators are now working to determine whether the marijuana gummy the suspect consumed may have been laced with a hallucinogen, which could have exacerbated his altered perception and violent response.
Due to the suspect’s juvenile status, authorities have not released his name.
However, he has been formally charged with:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
- Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
The case remains under active investigation, and further forensic testing on the substance consumed by the suspect is underway.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information regarding the incident to come forward.
Crime
17-Year-Old Arrested in Fatal Denver Shooting of 28-Year-Old Izaiah Laster, Known as “Rüger Zay”
DENVER, Colorado — A 17-year-old male has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in northeast Denver that claimed the life of 28-year-old Izaiah Laster, also known as “Rüger Zay,” according to the information provided about the investigation.
The Denver Police Department announced Wednesday that the shooting occurred at approximately 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, in the 5800 block of North Tower Road.
Preliminary information indicates that an argument between the teenage suspect and an adult male escalated into gunfire. The adult victim was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to the preliminary account, officers began investigating the shooting after it was reported in the North Tower Road area on Tuesday evening.
Investigators believe a dispute between the juvenile suspect and the adult victim preceded the gunfire. The precise circumstances that led to the confrontation, including what triggered the argument, have not been publicly established in the information provided.
The victim was identified in the supplied report as 28-year-old Izaiah Laster, who was also known by the name “Rüger Zay.” However, the report states that the victim’s identity was not included in the police statement. His name and nickname should therefore be confirmed through official sources before publication.
During their investigation, Denver police identified a 17-year-old male as a possible suspect in the fatal shooting.
Officers subsequently located and apprehended the teenager in the 5800 block of North Ceylon Street, according to the report.
The case is now subject to further investigation and prosecutorial review. The Denver District Attorney’s Office will determine what charges, if any, will be filed in connection with the death.
Because the suspect is 17 years old, additional information about his identity and court proceedings may be restricted under applicable juvenile-justice laws.
An arrest does not establish guilt, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty through the legal process.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the events leading up to the argument and the exchange of gunfire.
Authorities have not provided a confirmed motive in the information available for this report. Further details about potential charges and the legal proceedings may be released as the investigation progresses.
The fatal shooting has left questions about what led to the confrontation, while investigators work to establish a complete account of the events in northeast Denver.