Man, 26, wanted in shooting outside downtown Charleston barbershop

A 26-year-old Walnut Street resident is wanted in connection with the shooting of a man Monday outside a barbershop in downtown Charleston.

Antwone M. Smith faces a charge of first-degree assault and battery. He has past convictions for possession of cocaine, as well as possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, according to court records.

The Charleston Police Department said he shot 30-year-old Bernard Blunt of Hanover Street twice in the buttocks outside 71 Columbus St.

About 12:30 p.m. Monday, Blunt told the police, someone he knew as “Frank” asked him to step outside the Top of the Line barbershop for a discussion about a woman named Desiree and a man named Damien, according to an incident report.

But Blunt did not know what Frank was talking about, he told officers. The man revealed a silver revolver, which sent Blunt scurrying for cover. Bullets struck him as he fled.

Blunt and the barber both told the police that they could identify the suspect if provided with a photo, the report stated.

Smith was described as a 5-foot-5 black man. The police said he “should be considered armed and dangerous.”

Anyone with information about Smith’s whereabouts should call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 554-1111.

Reach Andrew Knapp at 937-5414 or twitter.com/offlede.