Shooter at South Carolina haunted house thought gun was a prop, police say
A frightened guest who shot a South Carolina haunted house employee Saturday and later told police he believed the gun was a prop has since been charged in the incident.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department posted on Facebook Wednesday morning and said one person, Keal Latrell Brown, has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection to the shooting. Brown may face additional charges.
Myrtle Beach Police Master Cpl. Tom Vest said the victim is a 29-year-old man who was treated and released from the hospital.
The incident happened at the Outbreak – Dread the Undead attraction at the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center, a spokesperson for the company said.
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In the Facebook post, police said they spoke to the victim, witnesses and Brown in addition to viewing video surveillance of the incident.
They said Brown entered the haunted house with other people, and multiple people in the group were scared of the victim, who was working in the zombie attraction. One person in the group fell to the ground and a gun slid back and hit Brown in the foot.
Police said Brown told them he thought the gun was a prop when he picked it up and fired twice, hitting the employee once in the shoulder.
The reason for the delinquency charge, police said, is because Brown knowingly gave the gun to a minor.
Police are investigating to figure out who brought the gun.
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The company that runs the attraction said they have no comments on the shooting.
"Our attractions, like the many others in beautiful Myrtle Beach, are here for visitors to enjoy and to make fun memories," the spokesperson wrote in an email to USA TODAY. "That is what drives us, and it will continue to be our pleasure to welcome our guests as we heal from this unfortunate experience."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Haunted house employee shot by scared guest who thought gun was fake
