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Teen Charged After Shot Fired At Sign Ended Up Hitting And Killing Retired Marine Sitting On Porch, Cops Say
Eason Reid Gravley, 17, was allegedly aiming a handgun at a road sign in Greenwood County, South Carolina, but the bullet ended up hitting Joe Black, 48, instead.
A South Carolina teen has been charged after firing a shot intended for a road sign that ended up striking and killing retired Marine who was sitting on his porch, according to police.
On Saturday, a 17-year-old Greenwood County boy named Eason Reid Gravley turned himself into police in connection with a shooting that occurred last Wednesday in Hodges, police said.
Joe Darius Black Jr., 48, was struck in the upper torso with a bullet and his family’s attempts to perform CPR on him were unsuccessful, according to FOX Carolina. EMS personnel continued to treat Black, but he died at the scene.
Police believe the teenager was shooting a handgun at a road sign at an intersection before Black was hit, according to police.
“The projectile struck the victim sitting on the front porch of his residence, occupied by his wife and children,” police said, adding that Black has four kids. The victim is described as a retired U.S. Marine who served the country for 20 years, according to police. He and his family had only recently moved into the home.
Gravley has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting death, according to police. Additionally, he has been charged with possession of a handgun. He has since been released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond from the Greenwood County Detention Center. As a condition of his release, a magistrate judge ordered all firearms be removed from his residence, police said. He’s also under a curfew.
It’s unclear if the teen has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf.
[Photo: Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office]
