Gun battle at Waffle House leaves one dead, another seriously injured

An argument at a West Ashley Waffle House early this morning left a teenager dead and another person clinging to life.

Charleston County sheriff’s deputies responded to the restaurant at 3536 Savannah Highway at 4:13 a.m., according to a news release from sheriff’s Maj. Jim Brady.

When deputies arrived, they found two males in the parking lot who had been shot. Dontaye Reed, 19, from Ravenel was taken to MUSC where he died of a gunshot wound, according to Deputy Coroner Kelly Kraus.

Another man had life-threatening injuries, and a third-person suffered minor injuries from a fall inside the restaurant, the release said.

According to witnesses, an altercation began inside then spilled outside and into the parking lot.

Shots were exchanged between people inside and a shooter outside.

The shooter outside of the building was described as a black male with dreadlocks who was wearing a red shirt. It was not known if he left the scene on foot or in a vehicle, the release said. The restaurant is near the intersection of Main Road and Savannaha Highway.

The injured people were taken to Medical University Hospital by Charleston County EMS. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office also was investigating.

Anyone with information about the shooting should call the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office at 202-1700 or Crime Stoppers at 554-1111.