Two teens charged in shooting of SC college leader’s husband
Police arrested a 15 and a 16 years old Friday in connection with a downtown Charleston shooting that killed the husband of a College of Charleston leader.
Charleston Police Department charged the teens with murder and attempted armed robbery. The teens were not identified by police because they are juveniles. One of the teens is also charged with a weapon offense.
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 63-year-old Thomas DiLorenzo.
DiLorenzo and his wife, Suzzane Austin, had moved to Charleston only weeks before the shooting when she became provost and vice president of academic affairs at the College of Charleston, according to a statement from the college’s president.
The husband and wife were walking at about 6 a.m. near King and Clifford streets, which is close to popular shopping and tourist areas and the college campus, according to police. The two teens approached DiLorenzo and Austin. One of the teens pulled a gun and demanded money before shooting DiLorenzo, police said. The two teens ran away. Austin was not injured and called police, police reports show.
Paramedics rushed DiLorenzo to the hospital where he died, the coroner’s office said.
Charleston police identified a vehicle they said was involved in the deadly robbery, Friday afternoon.
By Friday evening, police had arrested and jailed the two teens at the county detention center, where they remain as of Saturday, according to police.
“Our prayers are with the victim’s family during this terrible time,” said Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds. “We also want to thank the community for the support they’ve given our investigators in this case.”
College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu said in a statement “This is a moment of great sorrow for the entire College of Charleston community.”
This story was originally published July 18, 2020 at 12:50 PM.