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WEDGEFIELD, S.C. (AP) – A 65-year-old Sumter County man is charged with stabbing the person sitting in front of him in church.
Local media outlets report Billy Lewis of Wedgefield is charged with attempted murder for stabbing a man during services Sunday at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Authorities have not identified the victim. He was airlifted to a hospital in Columbia with severe injuries.
Witnesses told Sumter County Sheriff’s deputies that Lewis stood about 9:30 a.m. and began stabbing the man in front of him in the back and head for no apparent reason. A nurse attending the service helped the victim until emergency respondents arrived.
Deputies say Lewis has a history of mental health issues, but that hasn’t included violence.
"There'd been no argument," said Ken Bell, public information officer at the Sumter County Sheriff's Department, and "as far as we know there'd been no animosity between the victim and the suspect."
"I've never heard of anything like this," Bell added.
Witnesses said Lewis, who was a regular at the church, simply stood up and started stabbing the older man, believed to be in his 60s, injuring him in the head, shoulder and neck.
Although the suspect has a history of mental illness, Bell said this was the first time he became violent, making it a surprise for those who know him.
The victim was airlifted to the hospital for treatment and was in stable condition.
Lewis was charged with attempted murder but police say he may receive other charges at a hearing scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m.
"This is certainly a tragic event," said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis. "As bad as it was, we are fortunate it was not worse. Our thoughts and prayers go out the church members as well as the victim and his family and the suspect."
"I've never heard of anything like this," said Ken Bell, the public information officer at the Sumter County Sheriff's Department.
Bell says the suspect is 65-year-old Billy Lewis of Wedgefield, South Carolina.
"He apparently during the service according to witnesses just stood up and began stabbing the man in front of him," Bell said.
Bell says Lewis stabbed the victim three times.
"Once in the head, once in the shoulder, and once in the neck," Bell explained.
Both the suspect and the victim are parishioners of the church, but Bell says there did not seem to be a motive.
"There'd been no argument," Bell said, "as far as we know there'd been no animosity between the victim and the suspect."
Officials tell us the victim is also in his 60's. A nurse who was at the church tended to his stab wounds until help arrived.
"The victim was airlifted out because his injuries appeared very serious," Bell said.
Until now, Bell says the suspect's only run in with law enforcement have been for traffic tickets.
"Mr. Lewis does have a history of mental illness although he doesn't have a violent past," Bell said. "This is the first time we've ever known violence so this is really a surprise for all of us."
A surprise Bell says is even more shocking given the location.
"Especially in church, you know, you don't think about parishioners coming in and attacking each other," Bell said.
The pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. did not wish to speak on camera, but Bell tells us they say they are praying for both the suspect and the victim. The victim was taken to Palmetto Health Richland and was in stable condition at last check.
Officials say there could be other charges filed against Lewis later. His bond hearing is set for Monday, October 24, 2016 at 2 PM at the Sumter County Jail.
WEDGEFIELD, S.C. (AP) – A 65-year-old Sumter County man is charged with stabbing the person sitting in front of him in church.
Local media outlets report Billy Lewis of Wedgefield is charged with attempted murder for stabbing a man during services Sunday at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Authorities have not identified the victim. He was airlifted to a hospital in Columbia with severe injuries.
Witnesses told Sumter County Sheriff’s deputies that Lewis stood about 9:30 a.m. and began stabbing the man in front of him in the back and head for no apparent reason. A nurse attending the service helped the victim until emergency respondents arrived.
Deputies say Lewis has a history of mental health issues, but that hasn’t included violence.
"I've never heard of anything like this," Bell added.
Witnesses said Lewis, who was a regular at the church, simply stood up and started stabbing the older man, believed to be in his 60s, injuring him in the head, shoulder and neck.
Although the suspect has a history of mental illness, Bell said this was the first time he became violent, making it a surprise for those who know him.
The victim was airlifted to the hospital for treatment and was in stable condition.
Lewis was charged with attempted murder but police say he may receive other charges at a hearing scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m.
"This is certainly a tragic event," said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis. "As bad as it was, we are fortunate it was not worse. Our thoughts and prayers go out the church members as well as the victim and his family and the suspect."
"I've never heard of anything like this," said Ken Bell, the public information officer at the Sumter County Sheriff's Department.
Bell says the suspect is 65-year-old Billy Lewis of Wedgefield, South Carolina.
"He apparently during the service according to witnesses just stood up and began stabbing the man in front of him," Bell said.
Bell says Lewis stabbed the victim three times.
"Once in the head, once in the shoulder, and once in the neck," Bell explained.
Both the suspect and the victim are parishioners of the church, but Bell says there did not seem to be a motive.
"There'd been no argument," Bell said, "as far as we know there'd been no animosity between the victim and the suspect."
Officials tell us the victim is also in his 60's. A nurse who was at the church tended to his stab wounds until help arrived.
"The victim was airlifted out because his injuries appeared very serious," Bell said.
Until now, Bell says the suspect's only run in with law enforcement have been for traffic tickets.
"Mr. Lewis does have a history of mental illness although he doesn't have a violent past," Bell said. "This is the first time we've ever known violence so this is really a surprise for all of us."
A surprise Bell says is even more shocking given the location.
"Especially in church, you know, you don't think about parishioners coming in and attacking each other," Bell said.
The pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. did not wish to speak on camera, but Bell tells us they say they are praying for both the suspect and the victim. The victim was taken to Palmetto Health Richland and was in stable condition at last check.
Officials say there could be other charges filed against Lewis later. His bond hearing is set for Monday, October 24, 2016 at 2 PM at the Sumter County Jail.
