Police: 18-year-old recent high school student shot, killed in Lancaster

LANCASTER, S.C. — An 18-year-old died at the hospital after he was shot in Lancaster Wednesday night, police said.

The Lancaster Police Department said just before 8 p.m., they were called to Clinton Avenue near Ruth Street for a shooting. The victim was taken to the hospital where he later died, police said.

The coroner’s office identified the victim as 18-year-old Jelani Jackson. The victim’s aunt told Channel 9′s Tina Terry that just last year, he was a student at Lancaster High School. She described him as both well-loved and kind.

Norma Truesdale lives in Jackson’s neighborhood and described what she heard.

“I knew it was gunshots, sound like firecrackers at first,” she said. “But then when I knew after that, I said something going on and I hit the floor.”

Neighbors said Jackson was walking on Clinton Avenue when he was shot. They said he fell into a neighbor’s yard.

“This the first time that happened over here,” Truesdale said.

Some believe gang violence is to blame but so far, police have not released a motive. Currently, there aren’t any suspects in custody.

“It’s just crazy,” Truesdale said. “I don’t know, these young kids with these guns — they’re just bad. I hate it for his family.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lancaster Police Department at 803-283-1171.

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