LANCASTER, S.C. — Law enforcement is searching for Breante Stevens, 31, who is wanted for murder after he allegedly opened fire at a Lancaster County nightclub over the weekend.
Two people were killed and nine others were injured.
Stevens is considered to be armed and dangerous, deputies said.
(Breante D. Stevens)
The two men who were killed in the shooting at Ole Skool Sports Bar and Grill early Saturday morning were identified as Henry Colvin, 29, and Aaron Harris, 28.
[ [PHOTOS: 2 men killed, 9 others hurt after gunfire erupts at Lancaster nightclub] ]
Eight other people were also shot and injured, officials said. A ninth person was hurt after falling while trying to run from the club.
Stevens is wanted in connection with the shooting death of Colvin.
The shooting happened around 2:45 a.m. at the club on Old Charlotte Road near Highway 521.
Colvin and Harris were confirmed dead at the scene, officers said.
Four victims were flown to nearby hospitals. The sheriff said one requires additional surgery but is expected to be OK. A second victim is in stable condition and two others were in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon.
Officials said four other victims were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries. Deputies said they have all been released from the hospital and are expected to OK.
"This event is very tragic and will affect all involved, for years to come," Lancaster County coroner Karla Deese said. "The sheer magnitude of injury is like none I have seen in my 14 years with the Coroner's Office."
Sheriff Barry S. Faile said there are extensive efforts in place to find Stevens, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Stevens also has arrest warrants out for him for possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and possession of a pistol by a person convicted of a crime of violence.
>> We first updated WSOCTV news app users with a notification just after 7:30 a.m. Saturday that two people were killed in a shooting at a Lancaster nightclub. Download the WSOCTV news app for your smartphone and get updates on this developing story as they come in.
Faile said authorities believe the shooter had been having a disagreement with one of the men who was killed.
Officials said most of the victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Authorities said shots were fired inside and outside the packed nightclub. Officers said they do not know what kind of gun was used.
"This was a violent incident of huge magnitude that was witnessed by lots of people," Faile said. "Two people are dead, and many more are seriously injured. The shooter or shooters are out there."
Officials said they are unsure how many people were inside the club at the time or if more than one person fired a weapon, but they want to speak with as many witnesses as they can.
"We need to talk with everybody who was at the club when the shooting happened, and I encourage those witnesses to contact us immediately so those responsible for these deaths and injuries can be taken into custody," Faile said.
This was not the first time deputies have been called to Old Skool Bar and Grill this year. Authorities said they've been called to the establishment around six times, twice for shootings incidents.
Despite that, the club's liquor license has never been suspended.
Old Skool was registered in 2006 as a nonprofit with the Secretary of State's Office.
Channel 9 asked the Department of Revenue if the license was appropriately used and if there would be an investigation. It referred us to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, who, in turn, referred us back to the DOR.
Those who live nearby spoke with Channel 9 and said Saturday morning's violence is rare for Lancaster County and has left them on edge.
"It makes me uneasy that they haven't caught them," neighbor Maxine Efire said. "They could be anywhere in this neighborhood. I have lived here for 65 years in this area, but you are not safe anywhere."
Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Midlands Crimestoppers at 888-274-6372 or visit the
.
People can also contact the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office at 803-283-3388.
This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.