CRIME & SAFETY

• Two schools in Florence County, South Carolina, are placed "on hold" due to a search for a bank robbery suspect. • The schools affected are J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School and Dr. Ronald E. McNair Junior High School.

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — The two people killed Saturday night in Florence when their stolen pickup truck collided with an SUV have been identified as two teenagers. Tylik Charles, 14, and Ameria Dava Grant, 16, both of Florence, died at the scene of the crash on Kershaw Street near Gaillard Street, Florence County Coroner Keith […]

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A bicyclist was killed after a crash with a pickup truck in Florence County on Monday morning, according to the South Carolina Highway patrol. The crash happened at about 10:50 a.m. along Highway 327 near Highway 76, SCHP said. It happened about six miles east of Florence. The pickup truck, […]

This week in Florence County, South Carolina, there were three notable incidents. Firstly, a man was arrested for selling vapes to three underage confidential informants at a food store. Secondly, a woman was shot in the leg at an apartment complex during a domestic situation. Lastly, a shooting in Timmonsville resulted in one person being hospitalized, with an arrest expected soon. These incidents highlight the need for continued vigilance and safety awareness in the area.

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina jurors have found an inmate guilty of charges connected to the death of a fellow inmate during the deadliest U.S. prison riot of the past quarter-century. The Lee County jury deliberated less than an hour on Friday before finding Michael Juan “Flame” Smith guilty of assault and battery by mob, […]

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — While most families are preparing for the holiday season, Cyrstal Thomas and her family have only one Christmas wish — a place to call home. They went to bed Thursday night with no idea that it would be the last night in their home in Pamplico before a devastating fire. […]

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — A woman was sentenced to 25 years in prison Friday afternoon for a deadly 2019 shooting in Florence, according to 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements. Measha Jaquetta Joyner of Columbia was convicted on a manslaughter charge, Clements said. The deadly shooting happened at a Florence night club located at North Coit Street and Sumter Street […]

Two incidents occurred in Florence, South Carolina this week. In the first incident, a woman was shot in the leg at an apartment complex on Sneed Road. The shooting was determined to be a domestic situation. In the second incident, a student at West Florence High School waved a knife in the cafeteria and threatened school resource officers.

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The South Carolina Court of Appeals has denied 79-year-old Fred Hopkins’ appeal of his conviction and life sentence for shooting and killing two officers and injuring several other officers in the Vintage Place neighborhood in October 2018. Hopkins, 79, was sentenced on Oct. 19 to life in prison on two murder […]

(WPDE) — Here is a list of the top stories for the week of December 3 to December 8. Suspect in Darlington Co. 911 dispatcher's death was victim's longtime boyfriend, friend says. Darlington County 911 dispatcher, Bethanylynn Shaw, 21, was the victim of a deadly shooting Wednesday night, according...

Florence County authorities are searching for a man wanted in connection to a shooting incident. Around 7pm last Saturday, deputies responded to shots fired on Sneed Road. Upon arrival, they found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound and were informed that the gunman had fled the scene. The victim...

The South Carolina Highway Patrol, the SC Troopers Association, and Walmart have collaborated to support over 130 children affected by highway accidents. On December 7, 2023, these children participated in the SC Highway Patrol 2023 Shop with a Cop event at seven Walmart locations across the state. Colonel Christopher N. Williamson, Commander of the SC Highway Patrol, stated that the event aimed to bring comfort to the children.

Timmonsville police are on the hunt for a shooting suspect, Zavon Dukes, wanted for attempted murder. After a Monday shooting incident, the victim was rushed to the hospital. Any information on Dukes' whereabouts is urgently sought by the authorities.

DARLINGTON, S.C. (WBTW) — The Darlington Police Department held a new “Talk around Darlington” session Thursday morning to ask for the public’s help with four investigations.  Capt. Kimberly Nelson hosted the session, which is part of an effort to connect the public with the police department. The first case discussed happened at about 4 p.m. […]

Michael Smith and his fellow Bloods gang members “looked like a bunch of sharks attacking poor Mr. McClary,” lead prosecutor Barney Giese told a Lee County jury on Friday morning.

A teen remains detained after a knife incident unfolded at a Florence school. On Tuesday morning, a resource officer at the West Florence High School was forced to engage in an altercation that broke out in the cafeteria. A student was witnessed waiving a knife at other students before threatening...

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A Florence County crime task force investigated 36 criminal cases during November, arresting seven fugitives and seizing 19 illegal guns and various drugs, Sheriff TJ Joye’s office said. The Violent Crime Task Force, which is made up of street crimes and narcotics officers from the sheriff’s office and Florence Police […]

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. — Both the prosecution and defense rested their cases in the Michael Juan Smith trial on Thursday, but not before Smith took the stand is his own defense. Smith is on trial for his involvement in a 2018 riot at Lee Correctional Institution that resulted in 7 inmate deaths.

Coroner responds to domestic-related shooting in Darlington County.

A multi-vehicle crash in Florence left two people dead and several others injured. The crash occurred around 9pm on Saturday along Kershaw Street near Gaillard Street. Some vehicles were overturned in the incident. The occupants of one of the vehicles had to be extracted by the fire department. It was...