Man arrested after multiple shootings with three victims, SC sheriff says
A man who fired guns in three separate recent shootings has been arrested, according to the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office.
Mark Harper Jr., a 21-year-old Orangeburg resident, was taken into custody after the most recent shooting he’s accused of being involved in that happened March 13, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. Harper also faces charges from shootings Jan. 31 and March 7, according to Monday’s release.
Harper was charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and trafficking methamphetamine in connection to the March 13 shooting, the sheriff’s office said.
One man was injured in that shooting in Orangeburg, according to the release. The victim was treated for what was believed to be a non-life-threatening injury, the sheriff’s office said.
Harper was also charged with attempted murder, criminal conspiracy and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection with a March 7 drive-by shooting on Chestnut Street in Orangeburg, according to the release.
One person was injured in that shooting, the sheriff’s office said. Further information on that victim’s condition was not available.
Harper also has been charged for his role in an armed robbery Jan. 31 where one person was shot multiple times, according to the release. Further information about that shooting victim’s condition also was not available.
Harper was charged with attempted murder, armed robbery, first-degree burglary, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and criminal conspiracy in connection to the Jan. 31 shooting, the sheriff’s office said.
Harper was denied bond during a weekend hearing and is being held at the Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Detention Center, according to the release. He’s scheduled to return to court May 12 on the charges, judicial records show.
Harper was previously arrested in March 2022 on multiple counts of attempted murder, but those charges were dismissed when he pleaded guilty to a first-degree assault and battery charge, Orangeburg County court records show.
“This individual acted as if there were no consequences harming others, and had an illegal weapon to do so,” Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said in the release. “We have some news for him and any others committing these crimes — there are severe consequences.”
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