Child, 8, went into cardiac arrest after being struck in drive-by shooting

WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCBD) – An 8-year-old went into cardiac arrest late Saturday night after being struck during a drive-by shooting, officials say.

Colleton County Fire Rescue (CCFR) said 911 received a call saying a child was shot around 11 p.m. off London Lane, just north of Walterboro.

While heading to the scene, a deputy with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office told fire rescue officials they observed a car speeding along Jefferies Highway. The car flagged down a fire rescue unit that was traveling in the same direction and handed personnel a child who was in cardiac arrest.

“The Sergeant with the Sheriff’s Office turned around and arrived moments later. He and the Battalion Chief immediately began providing CPR and advanced life support measures,” said fire rescue officials.

Emergency responders resuscitated the boy while working on him in the middle of the roadway. The child regained a heartbeat and started breathing on his own, officials said.

The child was initially taken to Colleton Medical Center where he was stabilized and air-lifted to Shawn Jenkin’s child trauma center at the Medical University of South Carolina in critical condition.

An investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Deputies ask that anyone with information contact them by calling 843-549-2211.