Eight people were shot outside a Greenville County hookah bar in a burst of gunfire that investigators say began with a fight at the entrance. Nearly two months later, deputies say they have arrested a 22-year-old man accused of firing multiple rounds during the confrontation.
Arrest Comes Nearly Two Months After Gunfire
Va’Deljima Roy Smoot was arrested last Friday by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Specialized Investigations Team, with help from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, according to WYFF 4. Smoot was taken to the Greenville County Detention Center and faces one count of attempted murder, seven counts of first-degree assault and battery, and two counts of possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime; no bond was set.
Deputies were initially called around 1:45 a.m. on June 7 and found three women suffering from gunshot wounds, while five additional victims later arrived at two hospitals with at least one gunshot wound each, according to the initial report from FOX Carolina. The three women were hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening at the time.
Investigators Say Shooting Followed Fight Outside Entrance
Investigators believe Smoot entered the bar with a group before an altercation broke out outside the entrance between people with him and at least one other person. Smoot allegedly fired multiple rounds during the physical fight, striking eight people, while investigators believe only one person was the intended target, WYFF 4 reports.
Charges Will Now Move Through Court
The attempted-murder and assault charges are among the charges filed against Smoot, and investigators say eight people were struck during the shooting, but the allegations have not been proven in court. Smoot remains in custody as the case proceeds.
