Two McDuffie County youths arrested in shooting at football game

“Shortly thereafter, shots were reportedly fired near the gymnasium and subsequently it was found that two vehicles were struck by what appeared to be gunfire. Two subjects have been detained, three firearms were recovered,” according to a statement from Sgt. Kimberly Lee of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office released later Friday night. 

Two individuals have been arrested and charged in the incident.

Santana Mance, 17, of Dearing, and Roosevelt Demmons, 17, of Thomson, are each charged with aggravated assault (non-family gun), possessing weapons in a school building/grounds/functions, possession of a firearm or knife during a crime, criminal damage to property in the first degree, possession of a pistol or revolver under 18 (misdemeanor).

According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office incident report, “While responding to a call on the 1300 clock of Laney Walker, Deputy Michael Gay went out with several gunshots that he heard coming from Laney Walker High School….BOE officers had two males detained at the time….Officers with the BOE stated that a fight broke out at the game, and then spilled over to the parking lot, where there were multiple shots fired at that time. BOE officers were able to detail Roosevelt Demmons and Santana Mance during the incident.”

The report states that multiple firearms and shell casings were located in the area and two vehicles were struck during the incident.

McDuffie County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mychele Rhodes said Thomson officials responded in accordance with district policy.

“We don't want to comment on anything that would compromise an ongoing investigation, but school officials did follow the travel emergency protocols outlined in our district plan to ensure the safety of all our staff and student participants,” she said.