Jahkeem Griffin and Karlos Gibson both charged with murder after shooting in South Carolina left three teens dead and another wounded

Two teens have been charged with murder following a shooting following a “previous dispute” in South Carolina that left three teens dead and another injured.

Jahkeen Griffin, 17, and Karlos Damon Gibson, 17, are accused of fatally shooting Dre’von Riley, 17; JaKobe Fanning, 17; and Caleb Wise, 16, were students at Eau Claire High School. They were identified by Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford. The state reported.

The fourth victim, a 14-year-old boy who was a student at Acorn Middle School, was injured and is the sole survivor of the triple massacre that occurred Sunday afternoon on Saddletrail Road just north of Columbia, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said at a news conference Monday that the incident related to a dispute that occurred years ago. He confirmed that it was not about gangs, but that it was “just teenagers making stupid decisions.”

Both suspects are charged with three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Gibson is also charged with possession of a weapon under the age of 18.

Dre’von Riley (left) and Jakobe Fanning (right), both 17, were killed in a shooting on Sunday in Columbia, South Carolina

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott (center) said at a news conference Monday that the incident related to a dispute that occurred years ago. He confirmed that it was not about gangs, but that it was ‘just teenagers making stupid decisions’

“Three kids are dead…three teenagers are dead, if that doesn’t shock you there’s something wrong with you,” Lott said. “We have to do something.”

Gibson, who was arrested Monday afternoon, was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Alvin S. Glen Detention Center, the sheriff’s department said.

The sheriff also said at the news conference that: “(Griffin) will likely receive a long prison sentence.”

Also present at Monday’s press conference was Richland County Councilwoman Gretchen Barron, who said, “here we are again.”

“Young people have guns and make bad choices. Now it is left up to us as a community.”

She talked about how the community itself needs to say that the situation is unacceptable and that the region cannot rely solely on the school district.

“We can’t leave it up to the school district to handle these things. We have to take care of our children, we have to take care of our neighbors,” she said.

Lott spoke about the violence plaguing the community and shared a message: “Parents, you need to take some responsibility for this too. It starts at home. We will fill in the gaps when we can, but it has to start at home.”

“Three kids are dead…three teenagers are dead, if that doesn’t shock you there’s something wrong with you,” Lott said. “We have to do something.”

Chief Inspector Dr. Craig Witherspoon of the Richland One school district, who was overwhelmed by the loss of three of their students, issued a statement: WLTX News reported

“The Richland One family mourns the loss of three young lives to senseless gun violence. Three Eau Claire High School students were killed in an incident on Saddletrail Road on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 24, 2023),” he said.

“Our crisis team is in Eau Claire today to provide advice and support to all students and staff who may need assistance. We also have extra security on campus as a precaution.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy and we ask everyone to keep the families of the students, the students and staff of Eau Claire High School in your thoughts and prayers.”