Dezmond Bethea, 18, underwent eight hours of surgery at a South Carolina hospital on Saturday to treat his multiple gunshot wound
The family of a teenager who was shot 17 times by cops are demanding answers.
Dezmond Bethea, 18, underwent eight hours of surgery at a South Carolina hospital on Saturday to treat his multiple gunshot wounds.
His grandmother Wanda Bethea says the family still don’t know why the officer shot her grandson and called on the police department for an explanation, theLaurinberg Exchange reports.
Laurinburg Police Chief Darwin ‘Duke’ Williams refused to say whether the incident was caught on bodycam but did confirm that the office had been placed on paid administration – regular procedure for officers after a shooting.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has now launched a probe into the incident.
‘There is not much to say right now,’ said Williams. ‘The investigation is ongoing.’
Police said that they received a call at around 2am Saturday about shots fired near the intersection of Lee’s Mill and Produce Market roads in Laurinburg, North Carolina.
Two shooting victims were transported to Scotland Memorial Hospital before being airlifted to a hospital in South Carolina.
‘There were two different calls. Whether they were related or not I can’t say for certain, but they were both transported from the same area at about the same time,’ EMS Director Roylin Hammond said. ‘The calls came in at a little after 2am and another around 2.30am.’
The first individual was recovered from the parking lot of Laurinburg Food Mart. The second, who had multiple gunshot wounds was taken from Wagram Street.
Police said that they received a call at around 2am Saturday about shots fired near the intersection of Lee’s Mill and Produce Market roads in Laurinburg, North Carolina (pictured)
Bethea’s family have asked for prayers for the teen who remains in hospital
Bethea, a Scotland High School senior, will require further surgery and remains in hospital after the shooting
Bethea, a Scotland High School senior, will require further surgery and remains in hospital after the shooting.
The condition and identity of the other victim has not been revealed.
Herman Tyson, president of the Scotland County NAACP, said the family are demanding ‘transparency.’
‘We are seeking the truth.’