LANCASTER, S.C. — A 12-year-old arson suspect pleaded guilty Monday after police said he started a fire inside a Walmart on Sunday afternoon.
It happened at the Walmart location on Highway 9 Bypass in Lancaster, South Carolina. The Lancaster Fire Department was called to the store around 4:35 p.m. and the building was evacuated.
A viewer shared video with Channel 9 showing the fire engulfing an endcap of merchandise in the crafts and sewing section, and smoke quickly filled the area.
Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire, and nobody was reported to be hurt.
The boy, who is said to have mental issues, was in custody by Sunday night.
He pleaded guilty to second-degree arson the next day.
He will be in custody while a mental evaluation is completed, which should be within 45 days.
There will be a disposition hearing after that is complete.
His attorney said resources from the Department of Mental Health won’t be available for the child until he is sentenced, which could take 30 days.
“We need better resources, better ways for kids to find those resources,” said Solicitor Randy Newman.
Attorneys on both sides spoke generally about child mental health cases saying more resources are needed to help kids before they get in trouble with the law.
“By the time I get a case, the family is at their wit’s end,” Newman said.
Hinson said young people also need more community support.
“I think with help, his life can change forever, and I would rather be a part of that change than not doing nothing at all,” Hinson said.
A local pastor called the boy’s actions a cry for help.
“My first reaction was total shock,” said the Rev. Keith Hinson, the pastor with Woodward Baptist Chester County. “I did not see this young man doing that at all. I really didn’t.”
Hinson added, “My second feeling is, ‘What can we do?’ It’s done, but what can we do now?”
Hinson knows the boy and went to the Lancaster County Courthouse to show support.
“I believe as bad as this was, it was just a loud cry,” Hinson said.
The maximum sentence possible would be for him to be held until his 22nd birthday.
This is the same Walmart location where police investigated an alleged gang-related shootout a little over a month ago. Multiple people were arrested, including at least one teenager.
Department of Mental Health services
SCDMH provides mental health services to approximately 30,000 children/adolescents each year, the agency said.
The agency’s service array includes 16 community-based, outpatient mental health centers, which serve all 46 counties. Each includes a division dedicated to Children, Adolescents, and their Families (CAF Services), as well, as a division of School Mental Health and offers school mental health services in districts across the state. In addition, SCDMH operates an inpatient hospital for children in Columbia for children in need of acute psychiatric care.
“This is only a description of the PUBLIC mental health system,” agency officials said. “SCDMH cannot speak to the number of private clinicians or practices that provide mental health services to youth in South Carolina, nor can it speak to the number of school districts that elect to hire non-SCDMH school mental health clinicians.”
The Department of Mental Health explained care related to pending criminal cases.
“Youth do not need to have charges of any kind pending in order to receive services from SCDMH,” the agency said. “However, youth who have been charged with crimes can and do receive services from SCDMH if they are in their homes. Circumstances are different for youth who are in the custody of law enforcement.
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Statement from a Walmart spokesperson: “We’re thankful no one was injured and appreciate the swift action from first responders.”
(VIDEO: 3rd suspect arrested in Walmart shooting)
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