Sumter County deputies charge man with attempted murder after Thursday morning shooting

Sumter County deputies have charged Sumter man with attempted murder after he allegedly shot another man several times Thursday morning.

Braden Bunch, a sheriff’s office spokesman, said 29-year-old Ricardo Mortez Dargan has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the shooting.

Bunch said deputies responded to the 1000 block of Vaughn Street in Sumter just after 4 a.m. Thursday morning reports of a shooting. When deputies arrived, Bunch said they found the victim lying on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the lower body.

Shortly after the discovery of the victim, Bunch said Dargan was taken into custody without incident following a traffic stop on S.C. 441.

Dargan was taken to the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center where he will be held pending a bond hearing, Bunch said.

The victim was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for his wounds and is said to be in critical but stable condition, Bunch said.