RCSD asks for bond to be denied for teenage driver charged in officer-involved shooting

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Back in August, a Richland County deputy and his fiancée were shot on their own front porch at their house near Elgin.

Since then, four teens have been charged with attempted murder stemming from the incident.

On August 20th, three teens reportedly shot in the home of Richland County Deputy Terrance Crawford.

“Just gang related, crazy, insignificant stuff,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott.

“Lair is not a gang member, “said defense attorney Todd Rutherford about his teenage client. 

Rutherford’s client, Rayshaun Lair, admitted to driving the vehicle of teenagers to Crawford’s house. However, the defendant claims to not have shot at the home nor have known the intended target, which was Crawford’s stepson who was inside the house. 

Rutherford asked for Lair to be released but with conditions such as GPS monitoring.

“What distinguishes him from the others in the car is that there were text messages between them and the individual inside the house unlike Mr. Lair,” Rutherford said. “There is no evidence to prove that on the way over there he knew what was going to happen.”

Sheriff Leon Lott was also present at Lair’s hearing Wednesday  and asked the judge to not grant bond. 

“He knew what was going to happen. There’s no doubt in my mind,” Lott said. “Without his vehicle. it wouldn’t have happened. 

“He decided to sit there and wait until his party came back. He realized something had happened and didn’t come forward at that point. Yes, he’s responsible,” said Deputy Terrance Crawford.

Crawford and his now wife were shot while sitting on their front porch despite not being the intended target. He says the incident continues to traumatize his family. 

“I haven’t been able to get everyone back in the house yet. I was shot in the calf and am still dealing with that,” Crawford said. “My wife was shot in her left calf. Her’s went further than mine and got infected. To see her in pain hurts me more than you can understand.”

Crawford has since returned to work where he serves as a school resource officer. He urges kids to solve their disputes without resorting to violence. 

“Kids, you have to understand you only get one life. It’s easily taken in these streets by senseless crime,” Crawford said. “You have to live your life. If you end it now, you’re not just hurting yourself but also your family and the people you’re affecting.”

The judge announced that he would make a decision whether to grant Lair bond by Thursday afternoon.