Masked gunman blasts trucker; Manhunt ensues in Beech Island

Aiken Standard ^ | 24 April 2002 | SANDY NeSMITH

[aomagrat]

BEECH ISLAND S.C. - An early morning shotgun attack left one man wounded and police searching for clues of the identity of the camouflage-clad gunman who wore a ski mask.

Just before 4:40 a.m. at Dorchester Dirt Company, at 1520 Sand Bar Ferry Road, a driver reported for work and was in the process of washing his rig behind the business, according to Aiken County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Capt. Michael Frank.

"A man wearing a ski mask, dressed in full camouflage and armed with a shotgun approached the driver,'' Frank said. "He ordered the driver to lie on the ground, but the driver refused to and instead sprayed the gunman with the hose."

Frank said the victim, whose name has not been released, was shot at least one time in the stomach at close range. The gunman ran into a wooded area near the business. The gauge of the shotgun used has not been identified. The shooting victim was transported by ambulance to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital.

A perimeter was immediately established around the business and included Sand Bar Ferry Road, Cary Drive, Old Ferry Road and Old Jackson Highway.

"We held that perimeter until about 7 a.m. and then released it,'' Frank said.

North Augusta Department of Public Safety and Richmond County Sheriff's Department were put on alert after the shooting and attempted armed robbery, Frank said.

"I went into Augusta and came across Sand Bar Ferry Road and noticed several Richmond County deputies on the road,'' Frank said.

The Aiken Bloodhound Team responded and searched the immediate area, but details on any of their findings were not released.

Frank said Dorchester Dirt Company hauls coal for South Carolina Electric & Gas and International Paper.

[aomagrat]

"He ordered the driver to lie on the ground, but the driver refused to and instead sprayed the gunman with the hose."

Now there is a brave man.

[dawn53]

So what kind of truck was he trying to hijack? The article makes it sound like an armed robbery, but how much cash does a truck driver carry? Seems to me it was a hijack attempt.

[aomagrat]

Looks like he wanted a truck load of coal.

[CWRWinger]

Brave man and one with an attitude against crime. At 4:40am, he should have been armed. He should have sprayed the hijacker with 9mm instead of water.

[CWRWinger]

Dorchester Dirt Co. needs to issue their employees hand guns.

[CWRWinger]

Analyzing this incident, I wonder if SC Electric & Gas and International Paper are union shops and this driver is non-union? Just a thought.

[Deguello]

Maybe the suspect was trying to rob the driver of his "pay dirt".

[cricket]

"The article makes it sound like an armed robbery, but how much cash does a truck driver carry? Seems to me it was a hijack attempt."

. . .agree, seems fairly apparent, he wanted the truck. . .but for what?

Wondering, if when he sprayed this man; the man said anything. . .in English. . .

[aomagrat]

Hmmmm.... The Dorchester Dirt Co, is a member of SCTA. Is that a "union"?

[CWRWinger]

I didn't see any reference to the Teamsters, but it appears to be a collective bargaining union. I'd say it has dues, also.