‘Gang shooting’ at Clarendon County high school graduation party leaves a woman dead and six children and an adult hurt

A SHOOTING at a high school graduation party in South Carolina has left one dead and at least six children and one adult injured.

Police believe the shooting may be gang-related after two cars pulled up to the event in Summerton, Clarendon County, and the occupants opened fire.

Facebook/Sonya Elmore

The graduation party shooting occurred on Saturday night in Summerton, South Carolina, leaving one person dead and seven others injured[/caption]

Facebook/Sonya Elmore

Local authorities believe the shooting may be ‘gang related.’ The shooting took place after two cars pulled up to the event and the occupants opened fire[/caption]

A 32-year-old woman was killed in the shooting, WIS News reports.

Seven more people, between the ages of 12 and 36 were wounded, Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office said.

Clarendon County Sheriff Tim Baxley labeled the shooting as being ‘gang related’.

A statement from the Sheriff’s Office said: “This appears to be a Gang Related Incident stemming from previous drive by shootings in other parts of the county.”

The violence unfolded around 11.00pm on Saturday outside a home in Clarendon County.

More than 100 people were at the graduation party, which was being held in the yard.

One of the two vehicles drove into the yard of the property, while the other remained on the road before shots were fired, police said.

Officials said it is unclear if the gunfire was targeted or just aimed at the crowd. It is also unclear if some of the shots were from partygoers returning fire.

After the shooting, the two cars sped away.

Multiple state, county, and local law enforcement agencies responded to the scene.

Around 70 rounds of ammunition were fired during the shooting, police said.

In addition to the 32-year-old woman who was killed, there were another seven people taken to the hospital by first responders.

Several of the injured victims were children, including one 12-year-old, one 13-year-old, one 14-year-old, one 17-year old, and two 15-year-olds.

A 36-year-old was also listed as one of the shooting victims.

Police have not announced any arrests.

The sheriff’s office added: “We are and will continue to work on this incident until arrests are made on the persons responsible.

“These acts of violence cannot continue.  Innocent children and adults are suffering the consequences of these acts.”