The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence on Cooper’s Loop, Monday, Sept. 7, around 11:00 in the morning in response to a shooting incident. According to an ECSO spokesperson, the incident stemmed from an earlier altercation that took place in Aiken County a few days prior in which an Aiken County man was supposedly robbed and beaten up by another man from Aiken County. The man who was allegedly accosted in Aiken County found out the man who supposedly robbed and beat him up was at the aforementioned residence in Edgefield County. He and another man then went to the Cooper’s Loop location and forced their way into the residence. Once inside, the pair beat up the man, but at some point during the altercation, he was able to escape his attackers and flee the scene. As he was fleeing, though, his alleged Aiken County victim fired a shotgun at him. The man claimed he fired once into the air and another time into the ground at his fleeing foe. The ECSO found no indication or evidence at the scene to suggest that the fleeing man was hit by the shots.

Charles Marion Randolph, 43, of Aiken, and Christopher Edward Bonnette, 43, of Aiken, were both arrested at the scene and taken the Edgefield County Detention Center without incident. Both are being charged with Burglary 1^st in connection with this crime. Randolph is also being charged with simple assault and battery. Because he is a convicted felon, Bonnette is also being charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm.

The ECSO was able to collect the gun used in this shooting and other evidence from this scene. They were unable to locate the victim, but, The Advertiser has been informed that the ECSO has since confirmed that he was not hit as a result of the shooting. However, he is refusing to cooperate with law enforcement.

The ECSO is continuing to investigate this matter. More charges may be pending.