Suspect arrested, another sought in fatal N. Charleston Waffle House shooting
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Investigators have arrested one person and are looking for another following a shooting outside a Waffle House in North Charleston that killed one person early Saturday morning.
Rico Jaruarise Joy, 39, was charged with one count of murder, one count of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, according to jail records.Joy waived his right to face a bond court judge.
Joy was arrested and charged following the shooting that killed Waffle House employee Briawna Nabors and injured five others, North Charleston Police Deputy Chief Scott Deckard said.
On Monday afternoon, officials said they were also searching for another person who also fired shots during the incident.
“The second suspect ran from the scene and detectives are working to identify this individual,” NCPD officials said. “The only description is an individual dressed in all black clothing.”
At 12:40 a.m. Saturday, police responded to an incident in the 4700 block of Saul White Boulevard.
When they arrived they found multiple victims bleeding from gunshot wounds. After a preliminary investigation, police say that the shooting began as a parking lot fist-fight between two men that evolved into a shooting.
During the fight, police say Joy brandished a firearm and began shooting at the person with whom he was fighting, hitting three people.
Court documents state Joy was found at a nearby hotel after the shooting. He had been wounded in the arm and was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center, police say.
On Monday afternoon, officials with the North Charleston Police Department released more information into the incident, and said investigators were going through evidence, continuing to interview witnesses, and retrieving additional videos from businesses in the area to analyze and identify any others involved in the incident.
Investigators said Joy and a 28-year-old man were engaged in a conversation in the parking lot of the business.
According to a report, during the conversation and ensuing argument, the victim and suspect engaged in a physical altercation and the suspect brandished a firearm and began shooting at the victim.
The victim ran towards the business with the suspect behind him, at which time another unidentified individual appeared and began shooting at the victim, police said.
“The victim ran into the Waffle House and hid inside the business, with the employees and patrons, while the initial suspect (Joy) ran away from the scene and was later located at a nearby hotel,” NCPD officials said. “The second suspect ran from the scene and detectives are working to identify this individual. The only description is an individual dressed in all black clothing.”
NCPD officials said the following people were wounded in the incident:
- The suspect, Rico Joy
- The initial victim, a 28-year-old man
- The deceased victim, Briawna Nabors
- A third victim, a 24-year-old woman
- A fourth victim, a 50-year-old man
In addition, police said Inside the business, there were seven other people in the business during the incident but were not injured in the shooting.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the North Charleston Police Department Detective Bureau or Crime Stoppers at (843) 554-1111.
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