A man opened fire on two people in Edgemoor, South Carolina, before a second victim shot back in self-defense, leaving the suspected gunman and another person dead, according to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office.
What deputies say happened
In a Facebook post Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office said Brandon Tavon Cassidy opened fire on two people in the Edgemoor community. The agency stated, “A second victim returned fire in self-defense. This exchange of gunfire left both the second victim and Cassidy with gunshot wounds. Brandon Cassidy died as a result of his injuries.”
Deputies said the shooting occurred shortly after midnight Thursday in the area of Mays Drive. When they arrived, they found three people with gunshot wounds. “One victim was later identified as the suspect. Two gunshot victims including the suspect were pronounced deceased as a result of their injuries. The third victim was transported to the hospital for further treatment,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
TV station: armed citizen also shot
Charlotte-area TV station WJZY reported that the armed citizen who returned fire was also shot during the exchange.
Investigation continues
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing.
Note on motive
The source article asserts the incident followed a dispute over a vaping device. That detail is not directly attributed to law enforcement or court records in the provided material.
Unrelated July case in North Carolina
In an unrelated July 22 incident, Gastonia Police in North Carolina said in a Facebook post that a homeowner shot a man who was attempting to break into a residence. Detectives determined that 57-year-old Cedric Ford was trying to break in at about 7:13 a.m. when the homeowner “fired a single round through a window, striking Ford,” according to the department. Police said Ford and a woman had falsely claimed in a 911 call that they were victims of a drive-by shooting.
