FORT MILL, SC — A violent confrontation in the early morning hours of July 27 ended in a fatal shooting at a Motel 6 on Carowinds Boulevard, prompting a joint investigation by the York County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) and the Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Authorities have announced that no charges will be filed against the driver involved, citing self-defense.
Deputies with the YCSO responded at approximately 3:32 a.m. to reports of a shooting in the motel parking lot. On arrival, they found a male victim, later identified as Kendale Richardson Williams of North Carolina, deceased from a single gunshot wound. The shooting suspect, a ride-share driver, was detained at the scene pending further investigation.
According to a detailed statement from the YCSO, Williams had booked a ride to the Motel 6 through a ride-booking service. Upon arrival at the location and while still seated in the vehicle, Williams attacked the driver with a stun gun and attempted to strangle him. The driver, who was legally armed, responded by firing one shot, striking Williams.
YCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division and Forensic Services Unit conducted a thorough on-scene investigation, interviewing multiple witnesses and collecting evidence. Based on their findings, investigators determined that Williams was the initial aggressor in the incident.
The case was reviewed by the Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. After evaluating all the facts, it was concluded that the driver acted in lawful self-defense as permitted under South Carolina’s Protection of Person and Property Act (S.C. Code Sec. 16-11-440). No criminal charges will be filed.
This incident highlights the importance of preparedness and the legal protections afforded to individuals who are forced to defend themselves during life-threatening situations. It also underscores the need for vigilance, even in seemingly routine scenarios such as providing or receiving a ride. Many ride-share drivers choose to carry concealed firearms for personal protection, even though most ride-sharing companies prohibit weapons in their vehicles. Incidents like this one serve as a reminder that when lives are at stake, personal safety often takes precedence over corporate policy.
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