Gun sought from festival shooting; 5 charged

GEORGETOWN | Police on Monday searched for a gun used in a shooting during a weekend festival, while city leaders consider meeting to discuss whether the incident should alter the annual event.

Festival organizer Peggy Wayne said leaders plan to gather next week to discuss possible changes to the city's Harborwalk Festival.

She said no decision has been made on whether to change the time of the Harborwalk street dance or charge admission to festival.

"We haven't sat down and discussed [changes],'' Wayne said. "I will probably sit down and talk to the police department, and we will see what we will do next year."

The shooting occurred around 11:15 p.m. Saturday, shortly after the event ended, at the corner of Front and Orange streets, police said.

The event, which attracted roughly 50,000, was clearing out at the time.

Two teenagers were shot during the incident, including a 16-year-old. Five people have been charged.

The city's mayor, Lynn Wood Wilson, said it's too soon to know what changes could come after the planned meeting.

He said there are no plans to cancel the festival.

"This was just something that could happen anywhere anytime," Wayne said.

"We just have to make people more comfortable and we have to have more adults present."

The shooting resulted from an argument between two groups of people, some from Andrews and others from Georgetown, shooting victim Ronald Dozier told police, according to an incident report.

Several rounds were fired at Dozier and his friends, he said.

Dozier was struck at least once in the arm as he was running away, police said.

The 16-year-old victim was taken to Georgetown Memorial Hospital with injuries to his chest, side and abdomen, then taken to the Medical University of South Carolina, Brown said. His name was not released because of his age.

Brown said the 16-year-old is expected to recover from his injuries.

Dozier was treated and released at Georgetown Memorial, Brown said.

Charged are:

-- Tyler Matthew Roberts, 17, with two counts of assault and battery with intent to kill and use of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, police said.

-- Durrell Reed, 20, Roberts' roommate, with accessory before the fact of a felony.

-- Robert "Bobby" Horta, 17, Roberts' brother, with hindering or obstructing a police investigation, police said.

-- Mark Horta, 45, Roberts' stepfather, with accessory after the fact of a felony and driving under suspension.

Police said he drove Reed, Bobby Horta and Roberts home after the incident and persuaded Reed to "toss the gun" into the Sampit River.

-- Theresa Therien, 43, Roberts' mother, with hindering and obstructing a police investigation.

Police said she gave a false alibi for her son. She said he was at home watching television when the incident occurred.

The five charged remained jailed late Monday afternoon, police said.

Bail was set at $90,000 for Roberts, $30,000 for Reed and $20,000 for the other three suspects.