Restaurant and Motel Shootings Continue in South Carolina
Restaurant and motel shootings have continued in South Carolina throughout the past week. These incidents highlight the fact that private businesses in this state are no longer safe for average people. If you were injured by an armed assailant at a private business, you may be eligible to file a negligent security lawsuit with help from an experienced Charleston negligent security lawyer. This course of action could help you pay for medical bills, missed earnings, and other damages.
Shots Fired at Conway Motel
In January of 2026, ABC 15 News reported that a shooting had occurred at a Conway hotel. Officers arrived at the scene at approximately 1:00 AM and took an individual into custody. Reports indicate that no one was injured in the shooting, although details seem sparse. Officers continued to investigate the scene after taking the defendant into custody.
Motel and hotel shootings in Conway are relatively common. In 2025, another motel shooting in the area left a 41-year-old man dead. Police did not release much additional information about this incident, either. In 2018, another shooting at a hotel in Conway left a man with gunshot wounds. These hotels often attract criminals and violent individuals.
Shooting at Popular Restaurant in Summerville Leaves One Dead
Also in January of 2026, another shooting in Summerville left one individual dead. This shooting occurred at about 8:30 AM at a Sonic Drive-In restaurant, and several patrons inside the establishment witnessed the murder. This situation caused three nearby schools to go into lockdown as a precautionary measure.
Police arrived at the scene to find one victim suffering from a gunshot wound, and the victim died at the scene before first responders were able to transport them to a hospital. Live 5 News later confirmed that the victim was an 18-year-old employee at the restaurant. The report also stated that police officers were searching the nearby area for the gunman.
As of this writing, the circumstances of this murder are unclear. The victim and the assailant may have known each other, or the shooting might have been triggered by a dispute between the worker and a customer. Whatever the case may be, fast-food restaurants are quickly becoming some of the most dangerous businesses in South Carolina.
Too often, employees are the ones who pay the price for this lack of safety. Although the families of these victims may pursue death benefits through workers’ compensation, a negligent security lawsuit may also be possible under certain circumstances.
Can a South Carolina Negligent Security Lawyer Help Me?
A South Carolina negligent security lawyer may be able to help if you are recovering from injuries after a shooting at a private business. Whether the incident occurred at a motel, gas station, restaurant, bar, or any other private establishment, you may be able to hold the property owner liable for failing to protect you. To learn more about the next potential steps, contact Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC today.
Sources:
wpde.com/news/local/1-in-custody-after-shots-fired-at-motel-on-hwy-501-surestay-motel-highway-waccamaw-drive-bypass-conway-police-department
counton2.com/news/local-news/shooting-at-sonic-on-dorchester-rd-in-summerville-police-say/
