Intervene During a Dispute or Not

Lexington County, S.C (WOLO) — In the wake of a man getting shot and killed trying to break up a verbal altercation at a bar and grill in Lexington County, authorities say deciding to intervene is a personal decision. However, they don’t recommend it. Brandon Ratliff was shot and killed February 2, after it appeared a verbal altercation between one of his friends and another patron at the Cockpit Bar & Grill would escalate. Authorities say the argument began indoors and then continued outdoors in the parking lot. In the end, the 31-year-old, who recently obtained an associate’s degree from Midlands Technical College with plans of landing an IT job in Charlotte, had been shot once in the upper body. Friends transported Ratliff to the hospital in a personal vehicle. He died soon thereafter. Lexington County authorities urge, “if something appears that it could get violent, immediately call law enforcement.” For Pamela Ratliff, though, she says her son was the kind of person who wanted everyone to be happy and that the person who decided to use a firearm that night should be held accountable for taking Brandon’s life and “pay for that.” If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.