South Carolina State Student Shot, Family Asks Why? #BuzzKiller
A 22-year old South Carolina State University student wounded by a gunshot late Friday night has died of his injuries. Jonathan Bailey, who was from Holly Hill, died early Saturday from a gunshot wound to the chest, Orangeburg County Coroner Samuetta Marshall has confirmed. His death is being investigated by campus police and the State Law Enforcement Division, officials say. According to a statement released from S.C. State, at approximately 11:14 p.m. Friday, the S.C. State University Police Department was notified by the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office that a vehicle had crashed into the Campus Services Building at 2195 Russell St. EMS was notified and initially treated the incident as a normal vehicle accident. However, it was later determined that the victim had received one entry and exit wound to the upper torso.
The SC State University Police Department received a report of a car that had crashed into the campus’ service building on Russell Street around 11:15pm. But when police first responded to the crash, they didn’t even realize the victim had been shot.
A university spokesman said 22-year-old Jonathan Bailey from Holly Hill was the driver of the vehicle. He also confirmed that the young man was a senior at South Carolina State University. Shock spread across campus as students learned one of their own was killed. “It had to be at least eight or 10 police cars lined up in the road,” said student Lorenzo Ham. “I just thought they were busting a house party like they usually do, but I didn’t even know.”
EMS was notified and initially treated the incident as a normal vehicle accident, according to a spokesperson, but it was later determined that Bailey received a gunshot wound to the chest. Bailey was then taken to Palmetto Richland Hospital where he later died from his injuries early Saturday morning.
“It’s sad because he’s young, and he’s in college,” said Ham, “So he’s obviously trying to do something with his life. It’s just sad.”
Witnesses said the shooting happened two blocks away at an apartment complex next to campus. Despite that, students said SC State is a safe university. “It’s pretty safe,” said Ham, “But just like anywhere, you have to watch your back. No matter how much security you have, stuff can still happen.” As investigators try to figure out who shot and killed Bailey, his family tries to cope with the stunning news. Bailey graduated from Lake Marion High School five years ago, and set off for SC State. He was a semester and a half away from an electrical engineering degree, a field his father said came easy. “They always say, ‘I don’t understand how your son does not study but always pass the test,'” said Johnny Jefferson.
