New information on Rock Hill block party shooting

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Rock Hill police continue to investigate after a shooting killed two people and sent two others to the hospital Saturday.

The shooting happened at a block party on Southland Drive, near the intersection of Albright Road and Mt. Holly Road.

Shortly after 10 p.m., officers in the area heard several gunshots coming from the party.

Other officers came and found the bodies of two gunshot victims, 44-year-old Montest Mincey and 21-year-old Maricus Kirk. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers diverted traffic in response to the shooting, prohibiting anyone from entering the Southland Park neighborhood.

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Police said a third victim, a 25-year-old woman, was treated at the scene after being shot. Police later said a 24-year-old man showed up at a nearby hospital with “a minor gunshot wound,” which he said occurred while he was on Southland Drive.

Rock Hill officials said no event requests have been submitted for Saturday's block party.

WCNC Charlotte's Austin Walker spoke with Cory Hardin's mother. Cory was one of the organizers of the block party. His mother said she believed the suspect was not from the neighborhood or Rock Hill.

On Tuesday, Rock Hill police said no one was in custody at this time. WCNC Charlotte was also told by police that the department is working with other departments in the area as possible suspects or interviews extend beyond city limits.

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Anonymous witnesses told WCNC Charlotte that people wore ski masks at the block party. The department said this is the first time they have heard of it and police are asking anyone with information to contact us. They said any information could help advance the investigation.

Days later, the shooting was at the forefront of many people's minds. One man, who did not want to be identified for fear the suspect was not in custody, told us how he and his wife had to run to safety.

“There were about four people out of 500 here,” he said. “We were here in the aisle making funnel cakes for people to pass by in case they wanted something sweet.”

He said he wanted to make a neighborly gesture, and in the middle of the boiling oil, the attention shifted.

“I see a group of people running on the road, but I don’t hear any noise,” he said. “Then, gunshots, more gunshots, people screaming and crying… Maybe 20 or 25 shots.”

On Tuesday, he stood in the same spot, thinking about how he and his wife had to run to safety.

“It’s very radical, I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said. “It's unreal, but it happened. Their loved ones lost their lives for nothing. Have a good time.”

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