Three men were hospitalized early Friday after a fight inside Carolina Ale House in Summerville escalated into gunfire, according to police. Officers were called to the restaurant around 12:30 a.m. for reports of an argument, but by the time they arrived, shots had already been fired.
According to WCIV, the fight escalated into gunfire before officers even reached the scene. Police said the argument initially involved two people, and a family member appeared to intervene in an attempt to separate them before the shooting broke out. All three people involved in the altercation were shot and taken to a hospital, though their conditions had not been made public as of the station's report.
The shooting happened at Carolina Ale House, located at 191 Sigma Drive in the Nexton area of Summerville, according to Live 5 News. Summerville Deputy Chief Chris Hirsch said no bystanders were struck by gunfire, calling it a stroke of luck given the crowded restaurant setting. “We're lucky that no bystanders were shot in this or hit by any bullets,” Hirsch said, per the same account.
Victims Identified, Weapons Recovered
The Post and Courier reported that the three victims are Black males ages 21, 27 and 29. Police secured two firearms as evidence from the scene, including a .40-caliber Glock 23, the newspaper reported.
Summerville detectives are investigating the incident, but police have not said whether anyone was arrested or detained at the scene, Live 5 News reported. WYFF4 similarly reported that authorities had not released information about potential suspects at the time of its report.
Restaurant Stays Quiet as Community Reacts
Carolina Ale House management declined an interview when approached by WCIV. The restaurant sits in Nexton, an area the station describes as a family neighborhood and one of Summerville's fastest-growing communities, according to the Post and Courier.
Police said the incident should not happen anywhere and noted they are working with other agencies to curb gun violence in the community. The investigation remains ongoing, with no further updates released on the victims' conditions or any potential arrests.
