Walterboro police charge man in accidental shooting involving shotgun

Walterboro police arrested a 20-year-old man who they said accidentally shot a man in the chest while showing off a shotgun.

Police charged William Thibodeau with discharging a firearm within city limits in connection with the incident.

The incident happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. Sunday at an apartment on State Street, Colleton County Fire and Rescue Chief Barry McRoy said.

Walterboro police arrived at 200 State St. and found Devany Beckett, 20, lying on his back and bleeding from a gunshot wound to his upper right chest, an incident report states.

Beckett’s girlfriend knelt beside him and used a makeshift dressing to control the bleeding, according to the report.

Thibodeau waited for police outside the home, according to the report. Beside him rested a black, Mossberg shotgun, police said.

Thibodeau told police Beckett was shot accidently while he handled the weapon.

Police ruled the shooting an accident and Thibodeau was arrested Sunday in connection with the incident, town spokeswoman Elizabeth Boineau said.