Columbia (WLTX) - According to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, a 42-year-old man was killed in his apartment early Saturday morning.
The shooting happened around 6 a.m. at the Woods At Harbison apartment complex off Fairforest Road.
Lieutenant Chris Cowan says Roosevelt Carter was shot once in the upper body. He was taken to Palmetto Richland where he later died.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced Saturday afternoon that the preliminary investigation has revealed a domestic disturbance occurred inside the home. It resulted in the 15-year-old son shooting his stepfather while trying to protect his mother.
"I just heard a lot of bumping and movement going on in the bedroom," said neighbor Tamela Sanders.
She says the noise was loud enough to wake her from a deep sleep.
She adds, "I heard one of their children come out of their bedroom."
Carter lived above her with his son, wife and step-son.
"Any screaming or anything we couldn't hear that it was just movement. Hitting the floor, the wall and the running - that's all we heard."
Sanders says he never heard a gunshot.
But it was a bullet that killed Carter - fired by his step-son.
Sanders says, "That bullet could have ricochet anywhere; could have went straight across; could have went down." Including downstairs where her family stays.
She adds, "To me they seem like a nice loving family. I interact with their kids. I love them like they're my own children. This is a hurtful thing."
Sanders says she saw the two boys at the hospital.
"They're holding up I can't imagine what's going on in their minds. Like, he just feels numb. My heart goes out to the family."
Sheriff Lott says no charges have been filed at this time, and deputies will continue investigating.
11/26/2007 8:10:14 AM
