Florence, SC – A Conway man has been arrested following a Johnsonville shooting that left a 3-year-old child dead and several others endangered late Saturday night.
According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, investigators charged Joseph Waterman, Jr., 34, of Conway with one count of murder, seven counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Deputies allege Waterman fired multiple shots into a vehicle carrying three adults and five children around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Midway Highway near Johnsonville.
Investigators say Waterman then allegedly exited his vehicle, approached the victims, and struck the driver in the head with a firearm before firing into the car again. One of the bullets hit 3-year-old Antonio Burgess of Hemingway, who was sitting in the back seat with four other children. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken.
Waterman was arrested Sunday, Sept. 19, and is currently being held at the Florence County Detention Center while awaiting a bond hearing.
Authorities have not released a possible motive in the case.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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