A 17‑year‑old girl has died after what Manning police believe was an accidental shooting at the Village St. Clare Apartments in Clarendon County, South Carolina. Manning Police Chief Sean Briley said officers and Clarendon County Fire Rescue responded Friday at about 10:53 a.m. to a reported gunshot injury at the complex; the teen was taken to McLeod Health Clarendon, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
What investigators say happened
According to police, the 17‑year‑old and her 18‑year‑old boyfriend were inside the apartment when the gun discharged, and the incident occurred during what officers described as “horseplay/intimate interaction.” The boyfriend was holding the firearm when it accidentally went off, and the weapon is believed to belong to a family member.
Police message on firearm safety
Briley called the shooting a “heartbreaking reminder” of the importance of safely storing and handling firearms and stressed that gun ownership carries a responsibility to protect everyone around the owner. No charges have been announced yet, and the investigation remains active, with authorities emphasizing that a single moment of carelessness can have permanent, life‑changing consequences.
