Horry County police have released new details about the events that unfolded Tuesday at Socastee High School.
Much of what's contained in the news release, we already knew. A 14-year-old juvenile is accused of firing a shot in the office of the School Resource Officer, Erik Karney. Police say the student confronted Officer Karney and a struggle began. During the struggle, police say the student shot at Officer Karney. Officer Karney was not shot directly, but was wounded from shrapnel due to the projectile hitting the wall.
But we learned Wednesday that it was Officer Karney who disarmed the student and took him into custody. Officer Karney was treated at Conway Medical Center for minor injuries.
Horry County police say when they arrived on scene, officers helped evacuate the remaining students, who were sent to the football field. Police swept the building to make sure there were no immediate threats and that the building was clear of all students and staff.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol and Coastal Carolina University Public Safety Department were also on scene and helped shut down Socastee Blvd. and secure a perimeter.
Once detectives with Horry County arrived at the school and began their investigation, they learned there was a possibility of explosive devices inside the school. Horry County's bomb squad was called in as well as the State Law Enforcement Division's and Myrtle Beach Police Department's.
Officers on the bomb squad found several suspicious devices within the school, and worked to render them safe. New Wednesday, police have identified those devices as pipe bombs. Police then executed a search warrant at the student's home, where officers seized items used in the construction of pipe bombs and other incendiary devices.
Horry County police are consulting with the 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office on what charges will be appropriate. That office told NewsChannel 15 Wednesday morning the student will most likely face an attempted murder charge as well as a charge of possession of bomb making materials.
The student is being held at the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia.
Stay with NewsChannel 15 and CarolinaLive.com as we continue to follow this developing story.
