South Carolina’s Fourth of July celebrations were marred by multiple outbreaks of violence, including a pair of incidents in the Lowcountry that led to numerous arrests.

North Charleston Incident

A neighborhood block party in the Chicora-Cherokee community, located approximately six-and-a-half miles north-northwest of the Charleston battery, turned violent when gunfire and fireworks were reported. According to the North Charleston Police Department (NCPD), the event was permitted by the city, and police leaders and event organizers had met earlier in the day to discuss logistics.

Despite efforts to de-escalate the situation, multiple fights broke out, and additional gunshots were fired. Several attendees were arrested, and multiple officers were physically assaulted, with two female officers sustaining minor injuries. The NCPD recovered multiple firearms and a makeshift spear from the scene.

Hilton Head Island Incident

Another violent incident occurred at Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island, approximately 67 miles southwest of the North Charleston incident. A fight between two individual groups led to shots being fired, and eight people were wounded. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) quickly identified the parties involved, detained them, and charged them in connection with the shooting.

Four individuals were initially charged: Jayden Hawes, 18, Marcello Royal, 17, Quazeir Davis, 17, and Christopher Capers, 17. Sheriff PJ Tanner credited the use of a deployable surveillance camera and stationary automated license plate readers in helping deputies apprehend the subjects.

Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.