NEWBERRY — The Drayton Community Center is open to the public again after a shooting over the weekend left a Prosperity man dead and one man in the hospital.
Richard Richshon Devell Sims, 24, was shot multiple times early Sunday morning during a birthday party being held at the center, 507 Drayton St.
Chief Deputy Coroner Lewis Lee said Sims was shot in the chest and died at the scene due to a gunshot wound. At this time the Coroner’s Office is not releasing the number of times Sims was shot.
The second victim, who is 23, was taken to Palmetto Richland Hospital that morning and has since been released, according to Interim Police Chief Roy McClurkin.
According to McClurkin, officers were called to the scene at 2:55 a.m. As officers approached, the majority of the crowd left. He said there was an estimated 300 people between the ages of 21 and 40 at the party.
“We have talked to some witnesses, some of which have come forward and some that other witnesses led us to,” McClurkin said. “We are asking anyone who saw or heard anything to contact us. People might have information they may not think is relevant. However, they may know something that corroborates another witnesses statement or something that could solve the case.”
From the interviews conducted, investigators learned there was some type of altercation that led to the shooting.
“Sad that in this day in age people decide to resolve conflict with firearms,” McClurkin said.
This is the second homicide in the city of Newberry this year. The other Newberry homicide took place in August.
“Two murders that happen close together is not the norm for Newberry. We are a safe, family community,” McClurkin said.
Investigators are currently working the case and have good leads they are looking into, according to McClurkin. However, they still need people to come forward with any information they may have.
The case is still under investigation by the Newberry Police Department with help from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, whose investigators are interviewing county witnesses, and the Newberry County Coroner’s Office.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newberry Police Department at 803-321-1010 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.